2 8o Travels in Italy 



tator's bosom all the powers of the pathetic. The action of the 

 miserable mother, shielding the last of her children against the 

 murdering shafts of Apollo, is inimitable; and the figure of that 

 youngest of the children, perfection. The two figures, which 

 strike me most, are the son who has gathered his drapery on his 

 left arai, and the companion, a daughter, in the opposite corner. 

 The expression of his face is in the highest perfection, and the 

 attitude, and whole figure, though much repaired, incomparable. 

 The daughter has gathered her drapery in one hand behind her, 

 to accelerate her flight; she moves against the wind, and nothing 

 can be finer than the position and motion of the body appearing 

 through the drapery. There are others of the group also, of the 

 greatest force and fire of attitude; and I am happy not to be a 

 critic instructed enough to find, as Monsieur de la Lande says, 

 that the greatest part of the figures are bad. They certainly 

 are not equal; they are the work of Scopas, a Greek sculptor. 

 Dine with Lord Elcho, at Meggot's hotel; Lord Hume, Mr. 

 Tempest, Mr. Tyrrhit, as well as Lord Elcho's family and Dr. 

 Cleghom, present: some agreeable conversation; the young 

 persons have engaged in sport to walk on foot to Rome; right — 

 I like that. If the Italians are curious in novelty of character, 

 the passing English are well framed to give it. 



24/A. In the morning, with Abbate Amoretti and Signore 

 Zucchino to the porcelain manufacture of the Marchese Ginori, 

 four miles to the north of Florence. It is said to be in a flourish- 

 ing state, and the appearance of things answers the description. 

 It is a good fabric, and many of the forms and the designs are 

 elegant. They work casts of all the antique statues and bronzes, 

 some of which are well executed. Their plates are a zechin each 

 (9s.), and a complete service for 12 covers, 107 zechins. To the 

 Marchese Martelli's villa; a very handsome residence. This 

 nobleman is a friend of Signore Zucchino, and understanding 

 our intention of making it a farming day as well as a manufactur- 

 ing one, ordered a dinner to be prepared, and his factor to attend 

 for giving information, apologising for his own absence, owing 

 to a previous engagement. We found a very handsome repast; 

 too much for the occasion : — and we drank — alia Inglese. success 

 TO THE PLOUGH ! in excellent wine. The factor then conducted 

 us over the farm: he is an intelligent man, and answered my 

 numerous inquiries, apparently with considerable knowledge 

 of the subject. Returned at night to Florence. 



2^ih. Early in the morning with Signore Amoretti to Villa 

 Magna, seven miles to the south of Florence, to Signore Paoletti ; 



