CHRISTIANITY in the garb of Pantomime or Masquerade, I leave for others to decide. The Spartan precept is not, I apprehend, inapplicable here.

CONCLUSION.---OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.

It is difficult to avoid misconception, where two things, differing only in degree, however different in their effects, are to be separated and discriminated. Many of my most intelligent friends, and more than one of my most talented reviewers, have overlooked the distinction which I have endeavoured to draw between a TOUR and a SOJOURN-between a short and a protracted ́residence in Italy-conceiving the tenor of my observations to be condemnatory of both, as injurious to Britons, in a moral and a physical point of view. Nothing, however, can be farther from my intentions than this conclusion-nothing can be more contrary, I think, to a fair deduction from the facts and arguments which I have adduced in various parts of the volume. The Spartan precept, and the poet's illustration of that precept, were purposely selected as contrasting the effects of TRAVEL and RESIDENCE in so striking a manner, that they could not be confounded. In respect to the pleasure and instruction which a tour through Italy affords, my opinion could hardly be expressed in more unequivocal terms, than at page 94, (2d edit. p. 93.) where I aver that-"a short tour from the Apennines to the promontory of Sorento presents more food for intellectual excitement-more objects of varied and profound contemplation, than a journey over land from the Thames to the Ganges-or the circumnavigation of the globe." Language can scarcely be more decided than this; but I reiterate my conviction that, to minds imbued with classical or historical lore-to painters, poets, sculptors, antiquarians-in short, to all who are possessed of even a moderate share of science, literature, and taste, Italy furnishes a richer treat than all the world besides.

As to protracted residence, especially with families, I maintain the opinions, broached in the first edition, unchanged. I am

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still persuaded, that long sojourn beneath Italian skies enervates both body and mind, and consequently is injurious, both in a moral and a physical point of view. This may be considered as

prejudice, or even worse-as ILLIBERALITY. But it is unlikely

that prejudice should attach to one who has been over so much of the world as myself, and who, without ceasing to be a patriot, has been so long a cosmopolite. In respect to ILLIBERALITY, I cannot conceive what cause there could be in my mind for antiGallican or anti-Italian sentiments. From no individual of France or Italy have I ever received injury or insult ;-to no individual of either nation have I ever offered any. No! It was neither PREJUDICE nor ILLIBERALITY that led me to see with my own eyes-judge for myself and speak the truth, fearlessly, however my sentiments might clash with those of "the monkeys who have seen the world," many of whom go forth like an empty sponge, and return home bloated with all the trash which they have imbibed during their foreign residence. A little travel, like a little learning, may be rather dangerous in some cases. There are sciolists in locomotion as well as in literature. These are readily captivated by the novelty of manners and customs different from their own-eagerly imitate them—and bore us eternally afterwards with the praise of foreign parts, and the deprecation of their native soil. A wider circuit of observation, a wiser philosophy, and a more careful comparison, would cure some of these philo-Gallican and philo-Italian advocates, of their mania for every thing exotic. One of the greatest and best objects of travelling is the opportunity which it affords of estimating and appreciating the advantages of home.* One of my critics has sneeringly observed that, wherever I travel, I find England superior to other countries. Those literary travellers who only make tours round their libraries, are not, perhaps, the

* See the note of Rogers, the poet (an enthusiastic traveller) at page 94, where that amiable gentleman expressly tells us that—" the more we become acquainted with the institutions of other countries, the more highly we must value our own."

best judges on these occasions—and, till the literary critic points out that country which is preferable to his own, I shall continue to be swayed by the evidence of my own senses. Another reviewer accuses me of libelling France and Italy. The critic probably belongs to the BAR, and conceives that, as truth is a libel in law, it must be so in literature also. But this, I apprehend, is an error. I have no cause, however, to complain of my reviewers, as they have, in almost every instance, treated me with liberality-and perhaps with undeserved indulgence.

In respect to the medicinal influence of climate, I must persist in placing that of Italy on a low scale. Few, indeed, are the invalids who can be conscientiously recommended to reside in Italy, even for a Winter-and hardly any of that class (pulmonic) for whom the climate of that country has been generally prescribed.

The salutary effects of travelling on the classic soil, as far as the corporeal machine is concerned, are also, in my opinion, inferior to those which may be fairly expected in many other countries-and even at home. But in reference to mental excitement, as I have often observed before, Italy is superior to all the world.

CLIMATE AND LOCALITIES OF GREAT BRITAIN.

The beneficial influence of travelling-exercise, as a means of restoring or preserving health, has not hitherto attracted that notice which it deserves. The natural curiosity and other motives which impelled so many thousands of English to visit the Continent, after a long and sanguinary war, which almost hermetically sealed it against them, led also to the discovery and due appreciation of the marvellous effects of CHANGE OF AIR, REGULAR EXERCISE, and the mental amusement of travelling, on the various bodily functions, and even on those of the mind. But the public and the medical profession are by no means aware that our own country (including Ireland and Scotland) offers, not only greater facilities for travelling-exercise, but also

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superior results, as far as regards HEALTH, than any part of the Continent. This assertion may excite some doubt in the minds of those whose observations and experience have been chiefly confined to travelling on the Continent-or who can only judge by the accounts of tourists. The more the subject is investigated, the more correct will be found the above averment. The British Isles offer a greater variety of climate, without any violent extremes of heat or cold, moisture or drought, than any other country in the world. The southern coast, or sea-board of England, affords many retreats for pulmonary invalids during Winter and Spring, which promise more advantage and comfort than the South of France or Italy. HASTINGS, the ISLE of WIGHT, and PENZANCE, with twenty other intermediate localities, will prolong the days and mitigate the sufferings of consumptive patients, infinitely more than Nice, Pisa, Rome, or Naples. The line of coast above-mentioned is open to the rcfreshing southern sea-breeze, without danger from the suffocating SIROCCO. It is protected by gentle eminences from the northern blast, without fear of the freezing TRAMONTANE, while it secures to the tender invalid the COMFORTS of an English fireside, the consolation of friendship, and the advantage (no mean one) of the best medical advice.

The interior of England presents innumerable localities, be yond all other countries, for the accommodation and recovery of invalids of every kind. Those who seek a bracing air, a dry soil, and a pure or medicinal water, may find them at Tunbridge Wells, Malvern, and many other places. The gouty will find shelter and solace at Bath. Cheltenham and Leamington will purge away, by their powerful springs, the bile and melancholy of India and the Antilles-while Harrogate will be found to work more miracles on the skin than did the Pool of Bethesda in days of yore. There are many localities on the south-west coast of the Sister Isle, where the vast Atlantic imparts an equilibrium and softness to the prevailing winds, more soothing to the hectic breast than all the balmy zephyrs of Italy; and

Q q

where the easterly gales come free from all their piercing and noxious qualities.

In short, I am firmly persuaded that, to those who require CHANGE of AIR, a fixed winter residence, a sheltered situation, and a mild climate, the British Isles, upon the whole, afford the fairest chance of combining the greatest number of advantages. Dr. Clark, who is no mean authority on this point, and who has had long experience of the influence of an Italian climate, seems to have come to very nearly the same conclusion.

"Before travelling beyond seas, in search of a climate that may prove beneficial to his disease, the invalid will naturally inquire what resources, in this respect, the limits of our own Island afford. And I am inclined to believe that England possesses advantages which have not been made so fully available in this way as they might have been; and that many invalids, for want of discrimination in applying the proper climates to the diseases to which they are most suited, have gone abroad in search of that which they might have found almost at their own doors."*

But it is to the large and almost boundless class of valetudinarians, in the different walks of life, who need an annual recruit of health, or a preservative against disease, by means of TRAVELLING EXERCISE, that England provides facilities, advantages, and varieties, beyond all other countries on the face of this globe. To every ailment, to every constitution, to every taste—and almost to every whim of the fancy, there are suitable places of resort-as well as admirable conveyances, by land and by water, throughout the whole of Britain. Those who cannot bear a voyage to Margate, may navigate a noble stream to Richmond or Gravesend. Those who wish to inhale the seaair, but are afraid of sea-sickness, may venture to Ramsgateif more daring, and the mal de mer be desirable, Scarborough or Scotland is at their command-or, in four days, they may traverse the whole length of the Channel, encounter the Atlantic

* Clark on Climate, 2d Edition.