Charles Dickens

Pictures from Italy Charles Dickens

IF the readers of this volume will be so kind as to take their credentials for the different places whichare the subject of its author's reminiscences, from the Author himself, perhaps they may visit them, in fancy, the more agreeably, and with a better understanding of what they are to expect. Many books have been written upon Italy, affording many means of studying the history of thatinteresting country, and the innumerable associations entwined about it. I make but little referenceto that stock of information; not at all regarding it as a necessary consequence of my having hadrecourse to the storehouse for my own benefit, that I should reproduce its easily accessible contentsbefore the eyes of my readers. Neither will there be found, in these pages, any grave examination into the government ormisgovernment of any portion of the country. No visitor of that beautiful land can fail to have astrong conviction on the subject; but as I chose when residing there, a Foreigner, to abstain from thediscussion of any such questions with any order of Italians, so I would rather not enter on theinquiry now. During my twelve months' occupation of a house at Genoa, I never found thatauthorities constitutionally jealous were distrustful of me; and I should be sorry to give themoccasion to regret their free courtesy, either to myself or any of my countrymen