13 NOVEMBER 1926, Page 19

THE ENGLISHMAN IN ITALY

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sm,—Mr. Gordon-George gives quite an anthology of the Englishman's impressions of Italy. But not one of his passages, nor all of them together, can match in their effect the majestic lines, written by an Italian two thousand years ago in praise of his own country.

Adde tot egregias urbes, oporum que laborem, Tot congests maim praeruptis oppida saxis, Fhuninaque antiquos subterlabentia muros."

What visions do they not conjure up for the Englishman by his winter fireside ! By the way, ought not Matthew Arnold's line to run :

" The morningloss and unawakening sleep "

Iladdiscoe Rectory.