422 PROCEEDINGS OP THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



main street of the city to the building of the Archiginnasio. Nothing 

 could be more picturesque and interesting than this procession. By 

 special request of the authorities, the greater portion of the delegates 

 were dressed in their academical and otficial robes, the effect of vvhicli 

 was most striking. Every variety of costume was there to be seen, 

 from all the quarters of the world. Mr. James Russell Lowell 

 and myself appeared in Oxford gowns as Doctors of Law. The 

 streets through which we passed were thronged with a dense crowd. 

 Every window and balcony was filled, and as the j)rocession passed 

 along each delegation was saluted with hearty cheers, while from the 

 windows and balconies showers of roses and bay and laurel leaves 

 were rained upon it. The great Cortile of the Archiginnasio, which is 

 a noble old structure, was covered with a striped awning of blue and 

 red. The upper porticos were thronged by invited guests, the inter- 

 mediary columns and arches being decorated with wreaths and flowers, 

 while the floor was occupied by the students and professors of the 

 University and the delegates. In the central arch, facing the entrance, 

 a lofty canopy was erected, with a dais on which were seated the 

 King, Queen, and Prince Royal, attended by the officials of the court, 

 all in uniform and court dress. When the company had assembled, a 

 Cantica, the words of which were composed by Professor Panzacchi 

 and set to music by Baron Alberto Franchetti, was sung by a grand 

 chorus, and after this Professor Giosue Carducci, the distinguished 

 writer and poet, delivered an interesting discoui'se, the subject of 

 which was " Lo Studio Bolognese." 



On the same day, at six p. m., all the representatives of the various 

 foreign universities and academies were invited to a great banquet 

 given by the government of His Majesty, the King of Italy, which 

 was largely attended, all present being iu full dress, with their decora- 

 tions, by particular request. 



On the 13th, all the delegates were again brought together in the 

 Cortile of the Archiginnasio, all in their academic or official robes and 

 with their decorations. The scene was similar to that of the previous 

 day, and equally imposing. On this occasion degrees of honor were 

 conferred by the Rector, one being given to each delegation. The 

 degree conferred on the American delegation was given to Mr. 

 Lowell, in accordance with the general wish of all the representatives 

 from America. 



As each degree was given by the Rector, the whole delegation of 

 which the recipient of the honor was a member was called, and accom- 

 panied him to the foot of the canopy under which the royal family was 



