La libera parola. [volume] (Philadelphia, Pa.) 1918-1969, 1920-12-25
Our Debt To Italy s

/ Of the writings of Dante This direct
personal contact with Petrarch was
the inspiration of Chaucer's life and
writings. Whether Boccaccio also in
spired and influenced Chaucer is a
matter of dispute But not only did
Chaucer the originator of English
Literature derive his inspiration
from Petrarch, but also he dew his
Imaterial directly from italy of his
day, Italy of the Renaissance.
There is more to be said in this
connection. Not only Chaucer but
nearly all great English writer's for
some countries after Chaucer did the
same. To set forth the proof of this in
detail would require q thick volume.
As once example only out of many
let us take Shakespeare, the greatest
name in English Literature. OF Shak-
speare's plays, fourteen have to do
wholly or in part with ltaly, and the
pages of his other plays are illuui-
ned here and there by flashes OF J.
Italian life ana thought Shakspear's
constant leaning toward Italy is one
of the most striking characteristics
OF his immortal writings. In fact
The debt Of Shakespeare to Italy is so
generally acknowledged among scho-
lars that the fact is about to be per-
manently commemorated by a statue
of Shakespeare to be erected in Ro-
Ina.
( Lack OF space viii prevent our
discussing thoroughly our debt to
lItaIy in the scientific sphere also.Har-
vey, whose name is immortal for the
discovery of the circulation of the
blood, acquired his science in the u
University of Padua. The name of Gal
| lvani has become immortal in the
word galvauize", used i'm every part
of the world. Electricity is used
everywhere man lives, but wherever
electricity is used volts" are mea-
|aured, thus perpetuating the memory
of our Indebtedness to Volta, the TIA
Ilian scientist. But above all are we
indebted TO Marconi, who by one
stroke of genius has transcended the
power Of the gods Of old, who by the
luowar of his intellect has made the
supernatural perfectly natural and
even commonplace who by one brill
liant miracle of the mind has united
the whole human race around this
/ old earth into one great family, in
/ constant communication, part with
/ part without the intervention OF
lclumsy, material, connecting wiresl
Jupiter the an powerful god OF the
ancieuts could sent his messenger
Mercury through the air to carry his
message Marconi, greater than Jupi-
rer, can send his message directly
with no intervening messenger!
The story of our debt to Italy is
not yet told. The course of the recent
great world war was radically and
utalIy affected by the courageous
and unselfish part that Italy took in
it. use the words rageous and
lunselfish with abundant reason. Ita-
lly entered the war courageously be-
ICause she did so at the time of the
| greatest successes of the barbarian
powers, at the time when they were
making their most striking demon
Istrations of military power Then was
| the time to Join the barbarians, il
] lself-interest alone were to be the gui-
I ding principle. To act as Italy did re-
quired courage and unselfishness. In
civilization, England and France
were the daughter of Italy, and
stood for the same ideals. In aims and
methods and ideals the Germans were
still as of old the Nandals and the
. Huns whose character and history L
tally knew so well. Therefore, with
. courage, italy made here choice.
There is vet another reason why
this act on the part Of italy was cou-
rageous, and unselfish. Industrially
speaking. Italy was vet in her infan-
cy. or at best in a condition of ex-
. treme youth. in spite Of her yenera-
BILE age I'm the historical, the intellec-
tual, the artistic spheres, industrially
+ and economically, italy is practically
in her infancy, for she dates only
from 1870. The Industrial and econo-
mic life of Central, Western and Nor
thern Europe are in the strong vigor
of tull maturity, but in this respect
Italy is in her infancy. The fully ma
ture can stand a severe blow and sur
viye. but to the infant or the adele
scent. such a blow might mean exit
notion. Nevertheless Italy deliberate
f. ly incurred the danger of such ex-
tinclion in order to lcep true ciyill-
zation alive, in order to help her in
tellectual daughters England and
/ France, in order once more to enact
the role Of Nurse of Civilization in
the Drama of History, and TO save IT,
from the brutal barbarian.
There is a further reason why the
/ entrance Of Italy into the war was
. courageous. Not only is Italy in her
infancy as a modern Industrial ma
ton. but nature has handicapped her
seriously in the matter of a perma-
nent and regular food supply. italy is