311 Modern Languages. [Chap. XV 



tlon of the learned to the best specimens of Gre- 

 cian and Roman eloquence. Beside these, the 

 poems of Lazzarini, the miscellaneous pieces of 

 Tagliazucchi, the historical writings of Muratori, 

 the dramatic productions of Marteli, MaiFei, Csesa- 

 rotti, Aliieri, and Metastasio, the various works of 

 the marquis of Beccaria, and many others, are en- 

 titled to particular notice, as honourable to Italian 

 literature during* the eighteenth century, and as 

 having contributed to the progress of its improve- 

 tnent. By the influence of these and other writers, 

 the Italian language gained, in the eighteenth 

 century, a degree of purity, dignity, and general 

 excellence, unknown even in the age of Bembo 

 and of Casa. The ancient rules and models of 

 taste resumed, in a considerable degree, their sway ; 

 and, what is perhaps of little less importance, some 

 of the most classical productions of Great Britain 

 and of France, by being translated into Itahan, 

 and naturalised in that country, have contributed 

 in no small degree to meliorate the public taste, 

 and to produce a reform in the literature of that 

 country *. 



SECTION IV. 



GERMAN LANGUAGE. 



The German language, in the course of this 

 C2ntury5 has been greatly enriched and refined*. 

 Until the middle of the century it remained in a 

 rude and unpolished state. Such of the learned 



* ' See Denina's Essay on tliQ Revohtioris of Literatvrc, 



