Here Too Is A Judgment Of Paris, By Titian, Which Is Reckoned A
Very Valuable Piece.
In the Palazzo Odescalchi, there is a holy
family, by Buonaroti, and another by Raphael, both counted
excellent, though in very different stiles, extremely
characteristic of those two great rival artists.
If I was silly enough to make a parade, I might mention some
hundreds more of marbles and pictures, which I really saw at
Rome; and even eke out that number with a huge list of those I
did not see: but whatever vanity I may have, it has not taken
this turn; and I assure you, upon my word and honour, I have
described nothing but what actually fell under my own
observation. As for my critical remarks, I am afraid you will
think them too superficial and capricious to belong to any other
person but - Your humble servant.
LETTER XXXIV
NICE, April 2, 1765.
DEAR SIR, - I have nothing to communicate touching the library of
the Vatican, which, with respect to the apartments and their
ornaments, is undoubtedly magnificent. The number of books it
contains does not exceed forty thousand volumes, which are all
concealed from the view, and locked up in presses: as for the
manuscripts, I saw none but such as are commonly presented to
strangers of our nation; some very old copies of Virgil and
Terence; two or three Missals, curiously illuminated; the book De
Septem Sacramentis, written in Latin by Henry VIII. against
Luther; and some of that prince's love letters to Anne Boleyn.
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