point of character and conftitution, were thought to have a much stronger refemblance to Helen than to Penelope; but as I have no great faith in the fudden operation of physical caufes in matters of this kind, I never doubted of those ladies having carried the fame difpofition to Naples that they brought from it. Though there are not wanting those who affirm, that the influence of this feducing climate is evident now, in as ftrong a degree as it is described to have been anciently; that it pervades people of all ranks and conditions, and that in the convents themselves; Even there, where frozen chastity retires, Others, who carry their researches fill deeper, and pretend to have a distinct knowledge of the effect of aliment through all its changes on the human constitution, think, that the amorous difpofition, impu ted to Neapolitans, is only in part owing to to their voluptuous climate, but in a far greater degree to the hot, fulphureous nature of their foil, which those profound naturalifts declare communicates its fiery qualities to the juices of vegetables; thence they are conveyed to the animals who feed on them, and particularly to man, whose nourishment confifting both of animal and vegetable food, he must have in his veins a double dose of the ftimulating particles in question. No wonder, therefore, fay those nice investigators of cause and effect, that the inhabitants of this country are more given to amorous indulgences, than those who are favoured with a chafter foil and a colder climate. For my own part, I must acknowledge, that I have feen nothing, fince I came to Naples, to justify the general imputations above mentioned, or to fupport this very ingenious theory. On the contrary, there are circumstances from which the oppofers of of this fyftem draw very different conclufions; for every fyftem of philofophy, like every Minifter of Great Britain, has an oppofition. The gentlemen in opposition to the voluptuous influence of this climate, and the fiery effects of this soil, undermine the foundation of their antagonists theory, by afferting, that, fo far from being of a warmer complexion than their neighbours, the Neapolitans are of colder conftitutions, or more philofophic in the command of their paffions, than any people in Europe. Do not the lower clafs of men, fay they, ftrip themselves before the houses which front the bay, and bathe in the sea without the smallest ceremony? Are not numbers of those ftout, athletic figures, during the heat of the day, feen walking and fporting on the shore perfectly naked; and with no more idea of fhame, than Adam felt in his ftate of innocence; while the ladies from their coaches, and the fervantmaids and young girls, who pass along, contemplate contemplate this fingular fpectacle with as little apparent emotion as the ladies in Hyde Park behold a review of the horseguards? As Sir William and Lady Hamilton are preparing to visit England, and the Duke feels no inclination to remain after they are gone, we intend to return to Rome in a few days. LETTER LXVIII. Rome. WE delayed vifiting Tivoli, Frescati, Naples. and Albano, till our return from The Campagna is an uninhabited plain furrounding the city of Rome, bounded on one fide by the sea, and on the other by an amphitheatre of hills, crowned with towns, villages, and villas, which form the finest landscapes that can be imagined. The ancient Romans were wont to feek fhelter from the fcorching heats of fummer, among the woods and lakes of those hills; and the Cardinals and Roman Princes, at the fame feafon, retire to their villas; while many of the wealthier fort of citizens take lodgings in the villages, during the feafon of gathering the vines. |