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
I am not less desirous to perform what I have undertaken, than I am of
receiving the remuneration which I was led to expect for it; and it
would be very painful to me if his Lordship merely performed his part
of the agreement without enabling me to perform mine.
Yours, &c., &c.,
A. PANIZZI.”
Much to the editor’s delight, however, work was resumed; and by the
summer of 1854 Mr. Whittingham had already sent in a bill for printing
the _Inferno_.
Such was the beauty of the work that it deeply impressed Lord Vernon’s
sensitive nature, and in the following year he desired that the
_Purgatorio_ should be forthwith proceeded with, but as the first
portion approached completion, his Lordship became anxious as to the
title of the book and its disposal, as the following letter clearly
testifies:—
“Nov. 4, 1856,
Hôtel Westminster,
Rue de la Paix, Paris.
“Dear Mr. Panizzi,
What shall we call the union of four editions in one? I cannot
think of a word. You cannot call it “Tesseraglott,” because it is one
“glotte,” or language, though not quite in one dialect. If I remember
right, there is in Ugo Foscolo’s edition rather a learned disquisition
about the cause of the difference in the texts of the early editions,
viz., the difference in the dialect of the early copyists, &c., &c.,
&c.
I was thinking of dedicating the book to the _Crusca_(of which I am a
most unworthy corresponding member), if you see no objection to it.
What plan would you recommend me to pursue for the publication of this
book, and of my own edition of the “Inferno?” Had I better sell it to
some bookseller for a certain sum, or had I better let the bookseller
sell it on my account, receiving so much percent? Or had I better sell
it by auction, or had I better give it all away?
What bookseller to employ I know not, nor whether to publish it in
England, France, or Italy.
Then as to price (if a price it is to have). What might it be? There
will be 2 vols, folio—viz., one of the text with my _paraphrastic
interpretation_ (I say this because it is not exactly a paraphrase,
inasmuch as no single word of the original is omitted). 2nd. A volume
also in folio of illustrative matters; and 3rd, 1 vol. folio, the
album Dantesco with explanatory notes.
I say folio, but perhaps it is royal 4to., I do not know how this may
be, but they will all be the same size. I shall be very thankful when
it is off my hands.
If I had health I should do the “Purgatorio.” The “Paradiso” is too
philosophical and metaphysical and theological for my poor simple
head. It is a pity, however, that the other two Cantiche should not be
done, as it would add considerably to the value of the book.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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