P R E F A C E .
I T A L Y has been an eminently distinguished part of the Globe fi-om a remote
period; and whatever it's future fate may be, it cannot fail to be an interestingcountry
from it's ancient renown, as well as from it's happy climate. A faithful
delineation therefore of it's scenery, exhibiting at the same time the manners, customs,
habits, and amusements of the natives of it's diiferent states, we may presume,
will prove acceptable to every man of taste, and every admirer of that classic
ground.
That the pencil of M. Van Lerberghi has delineated with accuracy the scenes
tliat were before him, we can venture to assert; and for the authenticity of every
anecdote given by M. Buonaiuti, we cannot hesitate to vouch. These are the
essential qualities that stamp a value on every thing but works of fiction; and are
peculiarly desirable, as they relate to a countiy, our curiosity respecting which is
greatly heightened at the present moment, by the clianges it has recently undergone,
and those it is apparently still fated to undergo.
That no pains have been spared in the execution of the Plates, to render them
faithful copies of the originals from which they were taken, will bo sufficiently obvious;
as well as to make them worthy of that public, to whose patronage they are
respectfully submitted.