The life and correspondence of Sir Anthony Panizzi, K.C.B., Vol. 1 (of 2): Late principal librarian of the British museum, senator of Italy, etc.Fagan, Louis
History
The life and correspondence of Sir Anthony Panizzi, K.C.B., Vol. 1 (of 2): Late principal librarian of the British museum, senator of Italy, etc.
Fagan, Louis
Panizzi, Anthony, Sir, 1797-1879
it was not, however, carried beyond the first reading.
The correspondence between Panizzi and Mazzini was by no means frequent,
and soon after this disgraceful scandal we find him sending to Panizzi
proofs of the well-known printed letter addressed to Sir James Graham,
and asking his advice on the matter.
So far has been traced the acquaintance of these two men from
documentary evidence; but the biographer can bring forward personal
reminiscences of this extraordinary man. Often has he heard Panizzi
relate how, on a certain journey, whilst waiting for a seat in the stage
coach running between France and Italy, one morning early, almost before
daybreak, he, on taking his seat, recognised close to him the figure of
a man, in blue spectacles, and carefully enveloped in his long Italian
cloak. It was no other than his _quondam_ friend Mazzini, who, finding
his incognito discovered, whispered “_Per amor di Dio, Signor
Panizzi!!!_” (For the love of God, Signor Panizzi!!!) As might be
expected, Panizzi assured him of his perfect safety. The frontier was
passed, after a most scrutinizing search by the French and Piedmontese
authorities.
The biographer also remembers one afternoon, about the year 1860, whilst
walking down Fleet Street, in the company of Panizzi, being desired to
look towards the left, on doing which, he perceived a man of very dark
complexion, in a shabby black coat, with a silk kerchief wound round and
round his neck, without collar, waistcoat buttoned high, and with
downcast eyes, standing by the side of one of the small archways of what
was but recently Temple Bar. Panizzi observed, “That is Mazzini.” No
bow, no sign of recognition passed between them. That the subject of
this memoir never afterwards communicated with his compatriot would be a
deviation from the truth, for in April, 1864, when Garibaldi visited
London, on the day, or soon after, it was publicly announced that the
Italian hero intended to leave England, the present writer was the
bearer of a note, penned by Panizzi, from whom he received instructions
to deliver it safely into the hands of Mazzini. This occurrence took
place early in the morning; so early, indeed, that day had scarcely
dawned when he left his friend’s residence at the British Museum, where
he was then staying.
This is but a slight sketch of the connection between Panizzi and
Mazzini, from which it may be gathered that no great warmth existed
between the two, for the latter was too impetuous to consort with the
former, who was imbued with common sense as well as with patriotic
motives in all his actions.
Let us now confine ourselves more immediately to Panizzi himself, and
whilst giving particulars of the various occurrences at this period, the
destruction of the famous _Portland Vase_, must not be passed over.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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