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  Dickens, Charles - Pictures From Italy

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  Pictures From Italy

  by Charles Dickens

  September, 1996 [Etext #650]

  *The Project Gutenberg Etext of Pictures From Italy, by Dickens*

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  Pictures From Italy by Charles Dickens

  Scanned and proofed by David Price

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  Dickens, Charles - Pictures From Italy

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  Pictures from Italy

  THE READER'S PASSPORT

  IF the readers of this volume will be so kind as to take their

  credentials for the different places which are the subject of its

  author's reminiscences, from the Author himself, perhaps they may

  visit them, in fancy, the more agreeably, and with a better

  understanding of what they are to expect.

  Many books have been written upon Italy, affording many means of

  studying the history of that interesting country, and the

  innumerable associations entwined about it. I make but little

  reference to that stock of information; not at all regarding it as

  a necessary consequence of my having had recourse to the storehouse

  for my own benefit, that I should reproduce its easily accessible

  contents before the eyes of my readers.

  Neither will there be found, in these pages, any grave examination

  into the government or misgovernment of any portion of the country.

  No visitor of that beautiful land can fail to have a strong

  conviction on the subject; but as I chose when residing there, a

  Foreigner, to abstain from the discussion of any such questions

  with any order of Italians, so I would rather not enter on the

  inquiry now. During my twelve months' occupation of a house at

  Genoa, I never found that authorities constitutionally jealous were

  distrustful of me; and I should be sorry to give them occasion to

  regret their free courtesy, either to myself or any of my

  countrymen.

  There is, probably, not a famous Picture or Statue in all Italy,

  but could be easily buried under a mountain of printed paper

  devoted to dissertations on it. I do not, therefore, though an

  earnest admirer of Painting and Sculpture, expatiate at any length

  on famous Pictures and Statues.

  This Book is a series of faint reflections - mere shadows in the

  water - of places to which the imaginations of most people are

  attracted in a greater or less degree, on which mine had dwelt for

  years, and which have some interest for all. The greater part of

  the descriptions were written on the spot, and sent home, from time

  to time, in private letters. I do not mention the circumstance as

  an excuse for any defects they may present, for it would be none;

  but as a guarantee to the Reader that they were at least penned in

  the fulness of the subject, and with the liveliest impressions of

  novelty and freshness.

  If they have ever a fanciful and idle air, perhaps the reader w
ill

  suppose them written in the shade of a Sunny Day, in the midst of

  the objects of which they treat, and will like them none the worse

  for having such influences of the country upon them.

  I hope I am not likely to be misunderstood by Professors of the

  Page 5

  Dickens, Charles - Pictures From Italy

  Roman Catholic faith, on account of anything contained in these

  pages. I have done my best, in one of my former productions, to do

  justice to them; and I trust, in this, they will do justice to me.

  When I mention any exhibition that impressed me as absurd or

  disagreeable, I do not seek to connect it, or recognise it as

  necessarily connected with, any essentials of their creed. When I

  treat of the ceremonies of the Holy Week, I merely treat of their

  effect, and do not challenge the good and learned Dr. Wiseman's

  interpretation of their meaning. When I hint a dislike of

  nunneries for young girls who abjure the world before they have

  ever proved or known it; or doubt the EX OFFICIO sanctity of all

  Priests and Friars; I do no more than many conscientious Catholics

  both abroad and at home.

  I have likened these Pictures to shadows in the water, and would

  fain hope that I have, nowhere, stirred the water so roughly, as to

  mar the shadows. I could never desire to be on better terms with

  all my friends than now, when distant mountains rise, once more, in

  my path. For I need not hesitate to avow, that, bent on correcting

  a brief mistake I made, not long ago, in disturbing the old

  relations between myself and my readers, and departing for a moment

  from my old pursuits, I am about to resume them, joyfully, in

  Switzerland; where during another year of absence, I can at once

  work out the themes I have now in my mind, without interruption:

  and while I keep my English audience within speaking distance,

  extend my knowledge of a noble country, inexpressibly attractive to

  me.

  This book is made as accessible as possible, because it would be a

  great pleasure to me if I could hope, through its means, to compare

  impressions with some among the multitudes who will hereafter visit

  the scenes described with interest and delight.

  And I have only now, in passport wise, to sketch my reader's

  portrait, which I hope may be thus supposititiously traced for

  either sex:

  Complexion Fair.

  Eyes Very cheerful.

  Nose Not supercilious.

  Mouth Smiling.