Macaulay, no doubt, intended to bestow on Panizzi’s book something more than a mere acknowledgment of its presentation. In a letter addressed to Macvey Napier, dated 29 April, 1830, he says:—“There are two subjects on which I think of writing for the next number (of the ‘Edinburgh Review’). ‘The Romantic Poetry of the Italians’ is one of them. A book on the subject has just been published by my friend Panizzi, Professor in the London University, which will afford a good opportunity. I have long had this project in my head.” ----- Footnote C: Epitaphium Damonis, line 125, _sqq._ ----- On the 16th October, 1830, he, however, writes again, saying, “My article on the Italian Poets must be postponed till the spring.” And again on the 8th October, 1838, writing from London, to Napier, “I think of writing an article on Panizzi’s edition of Bojardo, with some remarks on the romantic poetry of the Italians generally. This I can do as well, indeed better, on my journey than in London. I will try to send it off by the middle of December, or earlier.” The intention, however, thus twice, at all events, expressed, was never carried into effect, and an essay which would probably have taken its place with the best of Macaulay’s has been lost to the world. From what has been said it will seem that the book received due appreciation from some, at least, of those well capable of judging of its value. This short notice of its reception would be incomplete were all account omitted of a curious but somewhat unpleasant episode in the history of the work in question, to touch upon which it is necessary to anticipate a little the course of events. The _fons et origo mali_ is best told in Panizzi’s own words, which are taken from a letter dated 27th March, 1835, and addressed to the proprietors of _The Foreign Quarterly Review_:— “In the last number of _The Foreign Quarterly Review_ (called XXIX., but in fact No. 1 by your editor) (Vol. XV., p. 48), there is a lucubration on _Italian Romantic Poetry_, in the shape of an article on the _Orlando Innamorato_ and _Furioso_, edited by me, in which occurs the following passage, intended, I suppose, as a sample of the courteous and gentlemanly style of _literary_ criticism which is to grace this journal under the new _régime_:—