“It is curious to see what new modes all languages may take in the
hands of foreigners. The natives dare not try such experiments; and,
therefore, we all talk pretty much alike; but a foreigner is obliged to
hazard new expressions, and very often he shews us a force and power in
our words, by an unusual adaptation of them, that we were not ourselves
aware they would admit.”
And then, to draw Pacchierotti out, he began a dispute, of the different
merits of Italy and England; defending his own country merely to make
him abuse it; while Pacchierotti most eagerly took up the gauntlet on
the part of Italy.
“This is a climate,” said Pacchierotti, “never in the same case for half
an hour at a time; it shall be fair, and wet, and dry, and humid, forty
times in a morning in the least. I am tired to be so played with, sir,
by your climate.”
“We have one thing, however, Mr. Pacchierotti,” he answered, “which I
hope you allow makes some amends, and that is our verdure; in Italy you
cannot boast that.”
“But it seem to me, sir, to be of no utility so much evergreen is rather
too much for my humble opinion.”
“And then your insects, Mr. Pacchierotti! those alone are a most
dreadful drawback upon the comfort of your fine climate.”
“I must own,” said Pacchierotti, “Italy is rather disagreeable for the
insects; but is it not better, sir, than an atmosphere so bad as they
cannot live in it?”
“Why, as I can't defend our atmosphere, I must shift my ground, and talk
to you of our fires, which draw together society.”
“O indeed, good sir, your societies are not very invigorating! Twenty
people of your gentlemen and ladies to sit about a fire, and not to
pronounce one word, is very dull!”
We laughed heartily at this retort courteous.