The Beturn 



the amusements of the Casino, which now 

 depends on British support, and is undoubtedly 

 a great attraction. Perhaps our conclusion may- 

 be that while for the native population, and 

 especially for the working classes, British con- 

 trol would be an inestimable advantage, from a 

 visitor's point of view it would be regrettable. 

 But such speculations are as idle as those which 

 concern Cleopatra's nose. 



It may be that in these pages I am incurring 

 the reproach of the Senor Acciauoli, a native 

 of this island, who married his kinswoman, 

 daughter and heiress of the Marquis Acciauoli 

 of Florence, and was known in Italy as the 

 man who talked nothing but Madeira. Horace 

 Mann wrote concerning him to Horace Walpole, 

 and Walpole replied : " You have no notion 

 how I laughed at the man that * talks nothing 

 but Madeira.' I told it to my Lady Pomfret, 

 concluding it would divert her too, and forget- 

 ting that she repines when she should laugh, 

 and reasons when she should be diverted. She 

 asked gravely what language that was ! ' That 

 Madeira being subject to an European prince, 

 to be sure they talked some European dialect 1 * 

 The grave personage ! It was of a piece with 



17 c 



