Each planet, however, must have its own standard of the
beautiful, I suppose; and probably his sculptor's eye would not see much
to admire in the proportions of an inhabitant of Saturn.
The atmosphere of Florence, at least when we ascend a little way into it,
suggests planetary speculations. Galileo found it so, and Mr. Powers and
I pervaded the whole universe; but finally crept down his garret-stairs,
and parted, with a friendly pressure of the hand.
VILLA MONTANTO. MONTE BENI.
August 2d.--We had grown weary of the heat of Florence within the walls,
. . . . there being little opportunity for air and exercise except within
the precincts of our little garden, which, also, we feared might breed
malaria, or something akin to it. We have therefore taken this suburban
villa for the two next months, and, yesterday morning, we all came out
hither. J----- had preceded us with B. P------. The villa is on a hill
called Bellosguardo, about a mile beyond the Porta Romana. Less than
half an hour's walk brought us, who were on foot, to the iron gate of our
villa, which we found shut and locked.
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