instance of continency. As the Medici family have been more distinguished for the protection they afforded the arts, than for the virtues of continency or self-denial, it is probable, the subject, as /well as the execution of these pieces, was left entirely to the painter.

I happened lately to be at this palace, with a person who is perfectly well acquainted with 'all the pictures of any merit in Florence. While he explained the peculiar excellencies of Pietro's manner, a gentleman in company, who, although he does not pretend to the smallest skill in pictures, would rather remain ignorant for ever, than listen to the lectures of a connoisseur, walked on, by himself, into the other apartments, while I endeavoured to profit by my instructors knowledge. When the other gentleman returned, he said, " I "know no more of painting than my "pointer; but there is a picture in one of "the other rooms, which I would rather "have than all those you seem to admire f* so much; it is the portrait of a healthv. "child in her arms. There is nothing in"teresting in the subject, to be sure, be** cause none of us are personally ac"quainted with the woman. But I can"not help thinking the colours very na"tural. The young woman's countenance "is agreeable, and expressive of fondness <f and the joy of a mother over a first— M born. The child is a robust, chubby"cheeked fellow; such as the son of a "peasant should be."

We followed him into the room," and the picture whichpleased him so much, was the famous Madonna della Seggiola of Raphael. Our instructor immediately called out, Viva! and pronounced him a man of a genuine taste; because, without any previous knowledge or instruction, he had fixed his admiration on the finest picture in Florence. But this gentleman, aS soon as he understood what the picture was, disclaimed all title to praise; "because," said he, "although, when I considered "that picture, simply as the representa"firm of a bloomintr cniinfrv wenrh hm*"painter, and thought it one of the truest * * copies of nature I ever saw; yet, I confess, my admiration is much abated, ** now that you inform me his intention "was tp represent the Virgin Mary." "Why so?" replied the Cicerone; " the ** Virgin Mary was not of higher rank. "She was but a poor woman, living in a * * little village in Galilee." "No rank "in life," said the other, rt could give ** additional dignity to the person who "had been told by an Angel from heaven, "that she had found favour with God; "that her Son should be called the Son of "the Highest; and who, herself, was con"scious of all the miraculous circumstances u attending his conception and birth. In "the countenance of such a woman, be"sides comeliness, and the usual affection "of a mother, I looked for the most lively * * expression of admiration, gratitude, ** virgin modesty, and divine love. And ** when I am told, the picture is by the ** greatest painter that ever lived, I am MANNERS IN ITALY. < 3g3

in this gentleman's remarks, I leave it to better judges, than I pretend to be, to determine.

After our diurnal visit to the Gallery, we often pass the rest of the forenoon in the gardens belonging to this palace. The Vale of Arno; the gay hills that surround it; and other natural beauties to be viewed from thence, form an agreeable variety, even to eyes which have been feasting on the most exquisite beauties of art. The pleasure arising from both, however, dir minishes by repetition; but may be again excited by the admiration of a new spectator, of whose taste and sensibility you have a good opinion. I experienced this on the arrival of Mr. Fawkener, a gentleman of fense, honour, and politeness, whose company gave fresh relish to our other enjoyments in this place. It is now some time since he left us; and I am not at all unhappy in the thoughts of proceeding, in a day or two, to Bologna, in our road to Milan.

LETTER LXXVIII.

Milan.

T70R a post or two after leaving FIorence, and about as much before you arrive at Bologna, the road is very agreeable; the rest of your journey between those two cities is over the sandy Apennines.

We had the good fortune to find at Bologna, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Kennedy, Lord Lumley, and Sir Harry Featherston. Our original intention was to have proceeded without delay to Milan; but on such an agreeable meeting it was impossible not to remain a few days at Bologna.

I went to the Academy on the day of distributing the prizes for the best speci