Note 101 — BOOK VI[60]

Silvio Pellico (1788-1854) was imprisoned in Milan and Venice from 1820 to 1822 and at the Spielberg, near Brünn, from 1822 to 1830. His Mie Prigioni had only lately been published (1833) and Chateaubriand was much struck with them. During his previous journey to Italy, in a letter dated Basle, 17 May 1833, he wrote to Madame Récamier:

"Here I am at Basle, safe and sound. You have seen that fine river pass which is going, for a moment, to bring news of me to you in France. Travelling always gives me back my strength, sentiment and thought; I am very busy writing a new prologue to a Book. I nave read the whole of Pellico, cursorily. I am delighted with it; I should like to write an account of that work, the saintliness of which will prevent its success with our revolutionaries, who are free after Fouché's fashion. Are you not enchanted with Zanze sotto i Piombi? And the little deaf-and-dumb person? And Schiller, the old gaoler, and the religious conversations through the window, and our poor Maroncelli? And that poor young wife of the sopr'intendente, who dies so sweetly? And the return to beautiful Italy?"—B.