126 Mary Somerville. 



ducted with little regularity or direction, and the 

 guides were able to carry on a contraband trade 

 as mentioned. Since the annexation of the Nea- 

 politan provinces to the kingdom of Italy, the 

 Cavaliere Fiorelli has organised the system of ex- 

 cavations in the most masterly manner, and has 

 made many interesting discoveries. About one- 

 third of the town has been excavated since it was 

 discovered till the present day. 



In passing through Bologna, we became ac- 

 quainted with the celebrated Mezzofanti, after- 

 wards Cardinal. He was a quiet-looking priest; 

 we could not see anything in his countenance that 

 indicated talent, nor was his conversation remark- 

 able ; yet he told us that he understood fifty-two 

 languages. He left no memoir at his death ; nor 

 did he ever trace any connection between these 

 languages ; it was merely an astonishing power, 

 which led to nothing, like that of a young American 

 I lately heard of, who could play eleven games 

 at chess at the same time, without looking at any 

 chess-board. 



