The Italian Poets of the early Ages 247
1749. (17th of January.) Birth of Vittorio Alfieri 250
His noble Origin 250
His Childhood 251
His Education 252
Account of the Academy of Turin 252
System of Education 253
Effect of Music on the Mind of Alfieri 255
Circumstances of his Life altered by the Death of his Uncle 256
1763. Change of his Situation in College 256
Effect of this on his Conduct 256
His Extravagance 257
His Confinement 257
1764. His Liberation on the Marriage of his Sister Julia 258
His Return to College 259
1765. His Journey to Genoa 259
1766. He enters the Provincial Army of Asti 260
His dislike of Military Discipline; he obtains Leave of
Absence 260
His Tour 261
His second Leave of Absence; his second Tour 265
His first Entrance into Paris 265
His enthusiastic Feelings on visiting England 266
He returns to Turin, and resides with his Sister 267
1769. He takes another Tour 268
His second Visit to England; his Love Adventure 269
He returns to Paris 271
His Quarrel with his Servant 271
1772. Returns to Turin, and becomes a Cavaliere Servente 272
1774. He determines to break off this disgraceful Intercourse 274
His first Attempt at Composition 274
1777. He enters into an Engagement with the Public to write
Tragedies 276
He visits Siena; his Friendship with Francesco Gori 278
He visits Florence 279
His Attachment for Louisa de Stolberg, Countess of Albany 280
He makes a Donation of his Property to his Sister Julia 280
The distinguishing Marks of his Dramas 282
Distinction between Shakspeare and other Dramatic Writers 283
Alfieri, his Tragedy of "Philip," its Subject 284
He continues the _Amico di Casa_ of the Countess of Albany 286
Cruel Conduct of her Husband 286
She is separated from him 286
Alfieri at Rome with the Countess 287
1782. He completes his fourteen Tragedies 288
His Intercourse with the Countess of Albany begins to excite
Censure 289
He goes into voluntary Exile in consequence of his Sufferings 290
1783. He visits England to purchase Horses 290
He returns to Italy 291
His Visit to the Countess of Albany at Alsatia 291
He composes his "Agis," "Sofonisba," and "Mirra" 291
Death of his Friend Gori 292
Returns to Siena 292
Countess of Albany visits Paris 293
She goes to Baden, where she is joined by Alfieri 293
Residence of Alfieri at Colmar 293
1787. His Illness; visited by his Friend the Abbate Caluso 293
The Countess at Paris; Alfieri joins her 293
Death of her Husband 294
Corrected Editions of Alfieri's Tragedies 294
1790. His Translation of the Comedies of Terence 294
His Treatise on "Princes and Literature;" Critique on his
Style 295
1791. He accompanies the Countess of Albany to England 296
They return to Paris 296
1792. (10th of August.) The French Revolution 296
Imprisonment of Louis XVI. 296
Departure of the Countess and Alfieri from Paris; their
Furniture, Horses, and Books confiscated 297
They return to Florence 297
The Tragedy of "Saul" acted, Alfieri performing the Part of
the King 298
He studies the Greek Language 299
Invasion of Italy by the French 299
Alfieri and the Countess leave Florence 299
French driven from Tuscany 299
Second Invasion of the French; Effect of these political Events
on the Mind of Alfieri 300
(8th of October.) His Death 301
His Tomb 301