La Morichelli, and excellent they both were, in Anfossi's comic opera, "Il Viaggiatore Felice." There was another theatre, a small one, La Via del Cucumbera, in which Morelli had often delighted the Florentines with his magnificent bass voice, which, take it for all in all, was the finest I have ever heard.

It is perhaps not generally known, that, in the early part of his life, Morelli was Lord Cowper's volante, or running footman. One night, when going to bed, his Lordship's attention was attracted by some one singing an air, from an opera then in vogue; the person was seated on the steps of a church, opposite to his Lordship's palace: the prodigious quality of the voice, the fine ear and excellent taste displayed, astonished his Lordship. He ordered his valet to inquire who the extraordinary performer could be; the valet replied, "that he knew very well; it was young Giovanni, one of his Lordship's volantes. His ear for music is so perfect," said the valet," that whatever he hears, he catches instantly: he often sings to the servants, and is the delight of us all." The following morning, Giovanni was ushered into his Lordship's breakfast room, where he sang several songs, in a style and with execution to surprise him still more! His Lordship ordered Signor

Mansoli, Signor Verolli, and Camproni, Maestro di Capella to the Grand Duke, to hear him: they all declared it the finest voice they had ever heard, and that he only wanted instruction to become the very first bass singer in the world! "Then," said Lord Cowper, "that he shall not want long, from this moment I take him under my protection, and he shall have the best instruction Italy can afford."

His Lordship kept his word; and for two years, Morelli had the first masters that money could procure. At the end of that time, he was engaged as primo buffo at Leghorn. He then went the round of all the principal theatres with great éclat. At the Teatro de La Valle in Rome, he was perfectly idolized, often singing at the Carnival. He was engaged at the Pergola theatre; and his success, on his return to Florence, was triumphant indeed! I have often heard him say, that the proudest day of his life was that on which his former master, Lord Cowper, invited him to dine with him. This must, indeed, have been gratifying to him; but what honour does it not reflect on the liberality of his noble and generous patron!

I had the good fortune to be noticed by Signor Giuarduci, the celebrated soprano, and he gave me a few lessons. He had been the first cantabile VOL. I.

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singer of his time, and his sostenuto singing was still admirable. I went to pass a few days with him, at a villa which he had built, on his retirement from public life, at Montefiascone, his native town. From the house, there were beautiful views of the Lake of Balseno, and the Hills of Viterbo ; but the prospect most interesting to me, was the vineyard! The wines of Montefiascone are considered exquisite, and I must say, I proved my opinion of them by copious libations! Fortunately, Signor Giuarduci was a liberal and hospitable landlord; and I shall ever retain a grateful sense of his kindness.

While performing at Florence, I received a letter from Mr. Linley, the father-in-law of Mr. Sheridan, and joint patentee with him in Drury Lane Theatre, offering me an engagement for five years, as first singer; and I was on the point of replying to him, when I received another letter from him, stating, that he must reluctantly decline entering into any engagement with me for the present, as he had received a prohibition from my father, who even threatened to take legal means to prevent it; which, my being under age, allowed him to do. I thought this both hard and unaccountable, but, as there was no remedy, I was obliged to submit. I afterwards learned that this gave great mortification to

Stephen Storace, who was in England, and the originator of the offer to me.

At the latter part of June, my engagement ended at Florence; but my friend Campigli told me, he could offer me an engagement for the Teatro Saint Moise, at Venice, as first tenor singer in the comic opera. This pleasing intelligence I received most graciously, and gladly accepted the engagement.

During July and August, I was on the pavé, without an engagement; but I had youth, health, and high spirits, with certain zecchinos remaining in my pocket to give them play: add to these, that I had very good friends in Florence; Lord Cowper's house was always open to me, as was that of our Ambassador; and the Polish Prince, Poniatowski, a fine young man, young man, who spoke English fluently, invited me to his concerts and dinners, and gave me frequent marks of his esteem. There was also a Mr. Faulkner, who was very kind to me, and who feasted the Florentines sumptuously.

Florence is a delightful place to live in, the climate is pure, the country charming, and the city magnificent. In my time, the Trinità Bridge (the most beautiful bridge in the world, built entirely of white marble, and adorned with four fine statues, representing the Seasons,) was the

constant place of resort for serenaders of all descriptions. Every square, street, indeed every corner of this superb city, is filled with statuary, architecture, and paintings, by Michael Angelo, Bandinilli, Benvenuto Cellini, &c. &c. In the fifteenth century, a rich merchant called Pitti, built the fine palace which still bears his name; but overwhelmed by the expense, he became a bankrupt, and the palace was purchased by the Medici family. It has continued ever since the residence of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany.

The Dominican church was richly hung with striped silk, red and yellow. The monks of the convent had in it an apothecary's shop, in which they made up medicines, of the best quality, and sold them at a very cheap rate: they also sold all kinds of perfumery. The church of St. Marc is a very fine structure; the remains of the celebrated Politian are buried there.

The Cassano Wood, something resembling our Hyde Park, is a delightful ride, where the nobility drove their own carriages; on the holidays particularly, the whole population of Florence assembled there; and there Il Commandatore Pazzi, a nobleman of immense fortune, used to exhibit his coachmanship, driving his phaeton with six creamcoloured horses, which he managed with great dexterity. The Baboli Gardens were much fre