Henry Crabb Robinson, [Italy], to Colonel Robert Finch, undated [c. summer 1830].

My dear Sir –

       As you take an interest, kindly, in my literary attainments I send you a specimen of my talents in prose translation from the Italian. The original is a M:S: now lying on the table of the Gabinetto Litterario.

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       By a dispatch from our minister just received we learn the following

  After three days of grape-shot [metraglia] in all the streets of Paris, the Thuilleries and the Louvre have been taken by storm [presi d’assalto] and the three colourd flag is flying on the Thuilleries

             The Swiss-troops have been disarmed

             Gerard commands the troops of the line

    The National guards have been reestablished and are under the command of la Fayette Del Rè non se ne parla.

        A provisional government composed of the Deputies of Paris is now in the exercise of authority.

       The chambers are convened for the 3d of August.

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       I might have hesitated selecting this for my first literary effort, but your friend Mr Capei (who desires his Compliments to you and Mr Mayer) has himself read the Journal des Debats of the 30th And another paper of the 29th which contain substantially the same news. As the circulation of the journals will probably be stopped, you may for several days have no means of judging of the correctness of my translation –

       Hermit as you call yourself, and preferring as you do, old poetry to new politics, you will perhaps be half angry with me for interrupting your studies – I prophesy that like the unfortunate Fransesco you will “read no more that day –” The simile by the bye does not run on all fours –

       Now if I were wise I should throw down my pen and write no more – for the chance is that you will hardly attend to any idle words I may write on any other subject – Indeed I have for the last three days been sadly beat out of my Italian – I returned on the Eveng of the 4th from a delightful excursion to Vallombrosa – A fine spot but not in any respect the Vallambrose of Milton – for there are no brooks nor do the trees “high over arched embower” I came back however full of idyllic feelings – And on my arrival learned the news of the day

       It was impossible not to foresee that the consequences of such a measure must be of infinite importance, tho’ what those consequences would be I was not, nor am now prophet enough to predict – [f. 180r]

       Many thanks for your inclosures and not fewer for the excellent enclosing letter – I enjoyed it much. I like being laughed at, in good taste – I have been very happy during the last three weeks. With only one draw-back on my pleasures – A growing apprehension that it was foolish to attempt at my age the learning a new language and, what is more, a new literature – My consolation is that to a man who is able to restrain his curiosity within bounds, and confine himself to the few master minds which at distant periods have illuminated their age & country – The literature of every country lies within a narrow compass – The foreigner who has read Shakespear & Bacon, Milton Swift & Pope & Burke will have a sufficient idea of the English intellect at the great epocha of its cultivation.  Voltaire alone as Göthe says comprehends the whole extent of French mind – Göthe alone will sufficiently compensate for the study of the German and Cervantes for that of the Spanish – I expect too that in like manner Italian genius will be found in the works of a very small number of transcendent minds – I know not whether there be – I suspect there is not a third entitled to rank with Dante and Macchiavelli – I am now earnestly studying the great philosopher – I am sorry to say that I cannot concur in the fashionable interpretation given to the Principe – very desirous to be convinced that I am in error  I at present believe M: to have been a man of immense intellect but a corrupt scoundrel, I believe that his P: was written not for the public but for the private eye and ear of Lorenzo – into whose service he wanted to be taken.  It is painful to believe – but he must be blind who has never seen an entire separation of intellectual power from moral worth. A man may duly let in the exposure of all the folly which is found encumbered with tyranny of every kind, who would have been gladly the tool of the same tyranny – Our Mandeville I suspect to have been of this stamp. Diderot was certainly a bad fellow Few like our Milton have combined in himself all worth – I am now reading the History of Florence – It does not change the impression produced in my mind by the Principe I am obliged by all your literary hints And [will] seek in Guiciardini for the splendid passage you mention. 

       To the Ladies – to Mr Mayer – To the few visitors who recollect & speak of me – in due gradation

                         My remembrances

                                     Your obliged friend H. C. R.

Mr Durtnal & his lady desire their Comps to you and the ladies. –

*It is very like a boarding school Miss thus writing in corner but I left a space I am now willing to fill up – I profit too much by the enclosing letter not to beg for a continuance of that mode of forwarding my letters, but I hope Mr M: will not grudge the trouble of keeping an account, tho’ of mere [P?]. I am most happy here – I see many excellent persons but alas can only imperfectly profit by their society – I have not yet been able to deliver the letter to Coll: who is not yet returned from Leghorn where he has been a considerable time Whenever you see A: Kestner pray give him my address for the Countess [that?] I may see her when she passes through [Robinson’s note is attached to the top of the second page]

Text: Bodleian Library, Ms. Eng. Lett., d. 458, fols. 179-80.