are here in Italy; at least the common language of the people is Italian. This town is not remarkable neither for size nor beauty. 'Tis only famous for that wise assembly of philosophers and divines, who established such rational tenets for the belief of mankind." "_Mantua, 11th of May._ "We are now in classic ground; and I have kissed the earth that produced Virgil, and have admired those fertile plains that he has so finely celebrated. Perdidit aut quales felices Mantua campos.[265:1] "You are tired, and so am I, with the descriptions of countries; and therefore shall only say, that nothing can be more singularly beautiful than the plains of Lombardy, nor more beggarly and miserable than this town." "_Cremona, 12th of May._ "Alas, poor Italy! Impius haec tam culta novalia miles habebit; Barbarus has segetes? The poor inhabitant Starves, in the midst of Nature's plenty curst; And in the loaded vineyard dies for thirst. "The taxes are here exorbitant beyond all bounds. We lie to-morrow at Milan." "_Turin, June 16th, 1748._ "I wrote you about three weeks ago. This is brought into England by Mr. Bathurst, a nephew of Lord Bathurst, who intended to serve a campaign in our family. We know nothing as yet of the time of our return. But I believe we shall make the tour of Italy and France before we come home. 'Tis thought the general will be sent as public minister to settle Don Philip; so that we shall have seen a great variety of Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, and French courts in this jaunt. Qui mores hominum multorum vidit, et urbes. "I say nothing of Milan, or Turin, or Piedmont: because I shall have time enough to entertain you with accounts of all these. Though you may be little diverted with this long epistle, you ought at least to thank me for the pains I have taken in composing it. I have not yet got my baggage." Far different was the pomp and circumstance in which the writer of this narrative performed his journey, from the condition in which Goldsmith, four years afterwards, pursued nearly the same route to-- ----where the rude Carinthian boor Against the houseless stranger shuts the door.