The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-03-27 00:00:00

nuriTZ CORR27.IPONDENCE.

NAPErS,MANCH 110824.

It is now some time since I propose'd to myself (in-
human by the recollection of our early intimacy), to let
you know how our days pass in this Elysium, and what
are the subjects that generally Denny our circle here. But
really. what between the mildness or the climate, which
continually invites abroad during the day, and the 'nevi-
ficent open of St. Carlo, where our evenings are spent,
the hours pm CUIIIMe Hs eclair, and we are astonished at
the end of the month to find that we have been so busy
" doing nothing," that we have forgotten our correspondents
at the other side of the as well at our books and
usual studies. In this place, pleasure seems the sole oc-
cupation—amusement the sole object. The inhabitants
literally live from hand to mouth. Nature has been so
bountiful to them, that they idly bank in their delightful
and p'rpetual sunshine, living on the quantity of fish that
Is thrown on their shores, and the luxuriant fruits with
which their volcanic roil teems. The leave inventions in
the arts and sciences to the unripened inhabitants of more
northern countries, whose cold and foggy climates oblige
them to sit by their fire-side at home, and whose patient
chancel. renders them fitter for bringing those inventions
to maturity. Here, a wonderful talent for imitation sup-
plies the place of originality of genius, and a short-sighted
cunning endeavours to supply the want of deep thought.
This delicious climate has generally left such an impres-
sion on the memory of diplomatic characters, who have
passed their youth here, that in the decline of life, or in
the decay of health, they have chosen it as a nursery
where they might feed life's taper to a later period, and
keep alive the vital spark by means of the gentle zephyrs
that fan this coast. Among these may be ranked, the
Northern Diplotnatist, the Coubt de St—g—

" Who can smile, and smile, and
while he smiles."
Brusque in his own manners, and a leveller of rank and
precedence, he still would wish to pass for the pink of
etiquette, and the tyrant of the titan Monde. Comb?
through age and infirmity, his impotent domineering
attacks might be laughed at, were it not for the malignity
of soul displayed in a treacherous leer which illumines his
countenance, like the cold light that flickers over a tomb.
He generally moves slowly towards his prey, before he at-
-1 tacks it, and " smiles, as though he mocked himself,"
wishing to cover his vampire attack with the semblance
jof Lonhonimie. On a late occasion our Minister (who, by-
the-bye, is a plain scholar—whom his worst enemies will
I not accuse of being a fop in dress, or a courtier,) took the
Count by the arm to present him to the Marchioness of
1)--. But he, imagining that all was not according to
' court etiquette, replied, " On pent Men voir, M. Hamilton,
quit roils are: pass• taste la vie duns les tureaur, poor
woof je rota revile via quaranle ant (pie je snit
ininistre, of gre je arais mon devoir." Mr. Hamilton
writhed a little under the lash, which produced no small
distortion of feature, but (I suppose, remembering the
divine precept of forgiveness) he hobbled off quietly. At
'another time a state dinner of the two ministers happened
to clash, and Mr. H. (whose back perhaps still smarted),
found it convenient to be ill, and go to bed, having pre-
viously put off his guests. At length, however, on a vacant
day, his dinner came, and having given some very good
claret, some one asked him how he contrived to have it so
pure and good. "J'ai an amie," he replied, "d Ban rdeaux
qua sue tenroie." "1.l parait cependont," said the Count de
S who. wished to taste a little champagne, "que M.
Hamilton n u pas d'ami en Champagne." This was such a
hit as would have act the table in a roar, hut that a horse-
laugh is contrary to all etiquette here ; as it was, a general
titter went round, and there was but one grave face at
table. These, added to a few other instances, have gained
our Minister here the reputation of being the meat patient
and forgiving character in the corps diplomatique at
Naplet..
Our Carnival has been very gay here this year, owing
to some good horse-races, which have been got up
j completely a l'Anglaise. The principal promoters of the
sport are, the Princes Lichttnstein and l'etrullo, and Sir
I Richard Acton. The courre (the Campo Marie) is very
level, and well calculated for running. They were very
fashionably and numerously attended, as the Neapolitans
are in general good horsemen, awl, strange to tell, relish
active amusements very much. The Austrians were at-
tentive, and sent a strong guard to keep the necessary
order, and pioneers to arrange-the ground. There have
been same very brilliant balls given here by the Ministers
and foreigners of distinction, all of which passed off with
.ry great eelat and success, if we except the unfortunate
accident that happened to Mrs. IL—, the rich banker's
wife, who, from some unhappy cause, made a fatal slip
in the mazy dance, and, being very fat, and not very
young, she came down with no small noise, and left an
immense circumference imprinted on the chalked floor.
The winter here this year has been delightfully mild,
equalling every description that travellers have given of
the climate of the south of Italy. Such is the heavenly
beauty and tranquillity that stems to rest upon the scenery
I here, that there were moments, as I descended the sloping
Isides of Posilippo, that I felt as if removed to a purer
world. I beheld before me the wide expanse of the Bay
of Naples, with its classic isles and promontories sleeping
in eternal sunshine. Scarcely a breath of wind disturbed
the glassy bosom of the deep, while above me was an ether
as blue as poet's fancy ever painted. A thousand times did
I exclaim—" Here will I fix my abode for lire! How
true it is that this country is "ma pezza del cid cadet., in
!terra," Re. Itc. But, when I retnembered that I was
living under an absolute monarchy, where every man al-
most is a slave, my thoughts turned towards home, and our
free land brought a hundred happy recollections with it,
notwithstanding the sun-lit plains before me.
Among the strangers of distinction who have resided here
the entire of this winter are—the Princes of Sweden, Es-
, terhazy, and Philip of Hesse Homburg; the Marchioness
of I)ownahire, Lord and Lady I'onsonby, Lord Blesin-
' ton, Sir Drummond and his Lady, Sir Richard
Acton, Lady Acton, and her beautiful daughters, &c. &c.
There have not been so many of our countrymen here
this winter as last. They prefer the "coteries" of English
at Rome, and the half suffocation of its streets, to the mag-
nificent files given here by the corps diplomatique, and the
fresh breezes of the delightful coast of Bagnoli, Puzzoli,
and Babe. "De gustihus non est disputandunt."
Adieu! Should these few lines meet an acknowledge-
ment, you may expect to hear from me again very soon.
X.