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. — John Shaqi
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
However, Linati went to Mexico, and from there again indulged in his
abuse of England in these words:—“I cannot understand your sympathy with
those English tradesmen; for whilst living amongst them I daily noticed
cold and formal ceremonials, stupidity provoked by drink, and the
brutality of the ‘prize-ring,’ with its livid eyes and battered faces.
Really, and indeed, my dear friend, I am truly sorry that you do not
agree with me.”
Linati seems to have discovered that worse countries existed than
England; only a short interval had elapsed before we find him leaving
Mexico in disgust and returning during the winter of 1827 to London,
where he is heard of no more until 1830. In that year he was upon the
committee for remodelling Italy. It is certain, however, that in course
of time he overcame his antipathy to Mexico, for he afterwards returned
thither, and died at Tampico in the year 1832.
Count Giuseppe Pecchio was another of those distinguished exiles in
whose company Panizzi delighted. Their long correspondence reveals a
close intimacy. Pecchio, better known in England as the author of the
“_Semi-serious Observations of an Italian Exile during his Residence in
England_,” was also one of the victims of the ill-fated Piedmontese
Revolution. England was his first refuge, and, after being engaged in
various occupations, amongst others that of Italian teacher at
Nottingham, he married an English lady, and, “_post tot naufragia
tutus_,” took up his residence at Brighton.
The book, published at Lugano in 1827, contains amusing sketches of
English life from a foreigner’s point of view; and after perusing it one
can safely conclude that the Count was indebted for his inferences
rather to imagination than to memory—perhaps to the two combined more
than to actual facts.
While residing in London Pecchio contemplated the production of a
periodical, to which Panizzi was to be the chief contributor, with
Messrs. Haywood and Roscoe as his supporters in addition to Silvia
Pellico, who was about to be set free on occasion of the marriage of the
Archduke Leopold, and whose presence was expected in the metropolis.
This formed a strong company for the undertaking, to which the promoters
were justified in looking forward with no little hope of success. The
attempt to start this periodical, however, proved futile, and not even a
number of it ever appeared.
On the 13th November, 1825, Pecchio wrote a letter to Panizzi, for the
purpose of introducing a certain Miss E ****, telling him that he ought
to appear as a _Narcissus_ to captivate the young lady. Panizzi’s
health, however, seemed at this time to fail him, and this he attributed
to the severity of the winter season, which, as before stated,
invariably affected him in a remarkable decree.
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