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'OH, A DAY IN THE CITY SQUARE, THERE IS NO SUCH PLEASURE IN LIFE!': ROBERT BROWNING'S PORTRAYAL OF CONTEMPORARY ITALIANS

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From: Browning Society Notes
Date: 20070301
Author:Martens, Britta

In 1866, five years after his fifteen years' residence in Italy had ended, Browning wrote to Isabella Blagden:

I agree with you, & always did, as to the uninterestingness of the Italians individually, as thinking, originating souls: I never read a line of a modern Italian book that was of use to me,never saw a flash of poetry come out of an Italian word: in art, in action, yes,- not in the region of ideas: I always said, they are poetry, don't and can't make poetry,- & you know what I mean by that,- nothing relating to rhymes and melody and Io stile: but as a nation, politically, they ...

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