OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, M. A. AND F. R. S.

STOR LIBRARI

NEW-YORK

NEW-YORK:

PUBLISHED BY KIRK & MERCEIN,

NO. 22 WALL-STREET.

Printed by William A. Mercein.

1818.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE reader of the Illustrations is requested to bear in mind the object with which they were originally written, and not expect to find in them a plan or order which can be discovered only with reference to the Fourth Canto of Childe Harold. They follow the progress of the Pilgrim, and were, indeed, as well as the notes now appended to the Canto, for the most part written whilst the noble author was yet employed in the composition of his poem. They were, with the exception of the three or four last articles, put into the hands of Lord Byron, much in the state in which they now appear; and the partiality of friendship assigned to them the same place which is occupied by the notes detached from them. But the writer, on his return to England, considered that the appendix to the Canto would thus be swelled to a disproportioned bulk, and that the numerous readers of the poetry would be better pleased if the choice, whether or not they were to be furnished with a volume of prose, were to be left altogether to themselves. Under this impression, such only of the notices as were more immediately connected with the text of the poem, were added to that work, and perhaps the writer may, even in the present instance, have to apologize for not being contented with less copious extracts.

Some of the longer notices of this volume are, it will be seen, dissertations not at all requisite for the

intelligibility of Childe Harold, although they may illustrate the positions or the objects therein contained. The writer did not like to touch upon the topics connected with a view of the ruins of Rome, without recurring to the best authorities on that subject. His researches naturally made him diffuse, and he will be well pleased if they have not made him desultory and tedious. He must own himself not to have been idle during the time employed in his investigation, which occupied several months of his residence at Venice; but he will also confess, that it is very likely he ought to have protracted that time, and more carefully revised his compilation. Those who may discover the errors of these notices, are entreated to remember, that in questions depending upon the consultation of authorities, the most assiduous attention may overlook a book, a phrase, or a word, which may change the whole face of the controversy; that industry and fairness may be demanded from all writers, but that the endless details of erudition forbid the antiquarian inquirer to hope for any other than qualified applause.

It is trusted, however, that the information here collected is such as a traveller in Italy would wish to find prepared for him; and such also as those whose voyages are confined to their libraries may esteem, if not a substitute for an actual survey, at least an addition to their stock of knowledge on subjects which will never lose their interest, until the example of the greatest, the best, and the wisest of mankind, shall be found too painful and impracticable a lesson for modern degeneracy.