[The errors of the press, in this Canto,-if there be any,→ are not to be attributed to the Author, as he was deprived of the opportunity of correcting the proof sheets.]

NOTES TO CANTO XVI.

Note 1, page 66, stanza x.

If from a shell-fish or from cochineal.

The composition of the old Tyrian purple, whether from a shell-fish or from cochineal, or from kermes, is still an article of dispute; and even its colour-some say purple, others scarlet: I say nothing.

Note 2, page 85, stanza xliii.

For a spoilt carpet-but the "Attic Bee"
Was much consoled by his own repartee.

I think that it was a carpet on which Diogenes trod, with— "Thus I trample on the pride of Plato!"" With greater pride," as the other replied. But as carpets are meant to be trodden upon, my memory probably misgives me, and it might be a robe, or tapestry, or a table-cloth, or some other expensive and uncynical piece of furniture.

Note 3, page 86, stanza xlv.

With "Tu mi chamas's" from Portingale,
To soothe our ears, lest Italy should fail.

I remember that the mayoress of a provincial town, somewhat surfeited with a similar display from foreign parts, did

rather indecorously break through the applauses of an intelligent audience-intelligent, I mean, as to music,-for the words, besides being in recondite languages (it was some years before the peace, ere all the world had travelled, and while I was a collegian)-were sorely disguised by the performers; this mayoress, I say, broke out with, "Rot your Italianos! for my part, I loves a simple ballat!" Rossini will go a good way to bring most people to the same opinion, some day. Who would imagine that he was to be the successor of Mozart? However, I state this with diffidence, as a liege and loyal admirer of Italian music in general, and of much of Rossini's: but we may say, as the connoisseur did of painting, in The Vicar of Wakefield," that the picture would be better painted if the painter had taken more pains."

Note 4, page 93, stanza lix.

For Gothic daring shown in English money.

"Ausu Romano, ære beneto" is the inscription (and well inscribed in this instance) on the sea walls between the Adriatic and Venice. The walls were a republican work of the Venetians; the inscription, I believe, Imperial; and inscribed by Napoleon the First. It is time to continue to him that title-there will be a second by and by, "Spes altera mundi," if he live; let him not defeat it like his father. But in any

case he will be preferable to the Imbeciles. There is a glorious field for him, if he know how to cultivate it.

Note 5, page 94, stanza lx.

"Untying" squires " to fight against the churches."

Though ye untie the winds and bid them fight

Against the churches.”—MACBETH.

Note 6, page 112, stanza xcvii.

They err-'tis merely what is called mobility.

In French, "mobilitè." I am not sure that mobility is English, but it is expressive of a quality which rather belongs to other climates, though it is sometimes seen to a great extent in our own. It may be defined as an excessive susceptibility of immediate impressions-at the same time without losing the past; and is, though sometimes apparently useful to the possessor, a most painful and unhappy attribute.

Note 7, page 115, stanza cii.

Draperied her form with curious felicity. "Curiosa felicitas."-PETRONIUS ARBITER.

Note 8, page 121, stanza cxiv.

A noise like to wet fingers drawn on glass.

See the account of the Ghost of the Uncle of Prince Charles of Saxony raised by Schroepfer-“ Karl-Karl— was-walt wolt mich?”

Note 9, page 124, stanza cxx.

How odd, a single hobgoblin's non-entity

Should cause more fear than a whole host's identity !
"Shadows to-night

"Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard,

"Than can the Substance of ten thousand soldiers," &c.

See Richard III.

I