EXPLANATION of the Arms on the Engraved Frontispiece. The Selection of these Arms has been made with a reference to Alliances illustrious on account of Genius and Learning, as well as Rank. 1. The EGERTON. Coat is that of BRYDGES impaling 2. BRYDGES impaling STANLEY is that of Grey, Lord Chandos, who married the daughter and coheir of Ferdinando Stanley, Earl of Derby . 3. The third, STANLEY impaling HOWARD: is that of Edmund Stanley Earl of Derby, who married the sister of Henry Howard, Earl of Surry, the celebrated Poet. These were grandfather and grandmother to Earl Ferdinando. : 4. STANLEY impaling SPENCER the coat of Ferdinando Earl of Derby, a man of genius and poet, who married Alice, daughter of Sir John Spencer of Althorp, to whom the Author of the Fairy Queen claimed kindred; and who was the patroness of Mil ton. 5. SACKVILLE impaling BRYDGES: the coat of the father and mother of Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, and first Earl of Dorset ; a sublime Poet; author of the Induction; and Legend of Henry Duke of Buckingham. 6. EGERTON impaling STANLEY the coat of John Egerton, first Earl of Bridgewater, who married another daughter and coheir of Ferdinando Stanley, Earl of Derby. 7. EGERTON impaling CAVENDISH: the coat of John Egerton, ad Earl of Bridgewater, son of the last; who married Lady Elizabeth, daughter of William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, a poet and man of genius. This Earl was the Nobleman for whose family Milton wrote his Comus ; and who performed the part of the Elder Brother He and his Countess were the maternal great grandfather, and great-grandmother, of the Author. 8. BRYDGES impaling GIBBON the Author's grand father and grandmother. The Lady's uncle, Matthew Gibbon, was great-grandfather of Edward Gibbon, the wellknown Historian. V PREFACE. In making the present effort to encourage among the English the cultivation of Italian Literature, the Author feels a persuasion that his endeavours are directed in favour of the cause both of good taste, and instructive knowlege. The English are too much engrossed with the fancied superiority of their own talents and literary acquirements. Unhappily, Criticism has taken the turn of bitter, and dishonest raillery; and of all the arts, by which arrogant and unfeeling Wit triumphs over sensitive Genius. Literature has deserted its own cause, to take part with the Mob; and pander to their mali gnant passions. But this is not all. It has also lent itself to carry on the intrigues of political Party, and Faction. An Author is to be exalted, or decried, not with reference to his literary pretensions; but as it suits the purpose of a Party, to raise or debase him. Books are to be selected, and the most contemptible trash of the most ignorant and uneducated Charlatans, is to be obtruded into reputation, if it answers the opportunity of forwarding particular Political opinions To this the Author attributes much of the visible and striking decline of solid literature in Britain in the last twenty or thirty years. We have few scholars; few historians; few moralists. Every department of our literature is meretricious. It would argue a susprizing ignorance of the present character of society, not to be aware that these opinions will appear to the generality of readers the direct reverse of the truth. It is the common persuasion, that we are now for the first time arrived at an epoch of Enlightenment and freedom from Prejudice. Every thing, that our Ancestors have admitted, admired, is called prejudice; and the rising generation pity the state of darkness and error, in which they who have gone before them, و or have been educated! So it ever will be: - blindness and narrow sightedness will always be 1 confident, and arrogant! If it be asked, what is the particular information, which the present volume undertakes to give, it may be answered, that, in addition to a great deal of Bibliographical intel |