SIR ANTHONY BANIZZI,

LL.D., K.C. B., ETC.,,

Late Principal Librarian, British Museum.

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OME are born great, some achieve great

ness, and some have greatness thrust. upon them." Thus is it written by "the greatest name in literature"-our own Shakspere; and it is seldom that we find in one man these three characteristics; as there are few indeed of whom it may be said, in the words of the same writer, that "Nature and Fortune joined to make thee great." We think, however, that the subject of this biographical sketch has some claim to the distinction referred to by our great poet. We have arrived at this conviction after a somewhat close observation, extending over a period of nearly forty years. An official connection with Sir Anthony Panizzi from the year 1835 will give the writer some claim to have studied the character of the distinguished man who has for half a century been identified with this, his adopted country.

We have always felt that it is the glory of

England that honest and able men who, from the political state of their own countries, have been compelled to take refuge here, have not merely enjoyed the bare right of an asylum, but have also had the freest opportunities of exercising their talents and abilities. A remarkable and honourable illustration of this is to be found in the case of the late Principal Librarian of the British Museum.

Antonio Panizzi was born at Brescello, in the Duchy of Modena, on the 16th of September, 1797; Modena at that time forming a part of the Cisalpine Republic. After prosecuting his studies at the Lyceum of Reggio, where he remained till about seventeen years of age, he proceeded to the University of Parma. In 1818 he took his degree of Doctor of Laws, quitted the University, and prepared for practice in the superior branches of the legal profession. Born with a love of freedom, he entered with deep interest, and with all the ardour and freshness of a youthful vigour, into the political questions that were at this time agitating Europe, and more particularly as they affected his native country. He was physically a man beyond the average stature, with a head and face that at once indicated power of no common kind. While yet a student, he entered enthusiastically into the revolutionary movement, which ultimately broke out in Naples in 1820, and in Piedmont in the following year. In 1821 his participations

in these movements became known to the Modenese Government through the cowardice of one of the conspirators, and the young Italian reformer judged it prudent to provide for his safety. On its becoming known to our hero that his name had been given up to the authorities, he immediately quitted Brescello, and, when at Cremona, most narrowly escaped seizure. A polite message was brought to him from the Commissary of Police, requesting his attendance; and it was. from the house of this functionary that he saved his life by a precipitate flight. The charge against him was tried in his absence; he was found guilty per contumaciam, sentenced to death, and the confiscation of his property. He was actually hanged in effigy the Modenese Government extended their hatred, and, we must add, their impudent assumption so far as to send an account to the young conspirator, on his arrival in England, of the cost of carrying out the sentence of the law. This latter fact seemed so astounding, that it was only when we heard from Sir Anthony Panizzi's own lips that it was really done, that we could bring ourselves to believe in such a state of things. Sir Anthony informed the writer that he had carefully preserved the papers, and indeed offered to give him a sight of these interesting State documents. If such a statement had been made in the pages of our contemporary, Punch, we might have enjoyed it as a joke, and ascribed it to the rich imaginative genius of our facetious

friend; but that any Government could possibly proceed to such extremities seems almost beyond belief. We trust that these documents will one day find a safe resting place in the department of manuscripts at the Museum, as certainly nothing more curious could be looked for, even in that rich depository of historical and literary curiosities.

He

To return, however, to our young hero. first sought a refuge in Lugano, the capital of the Swiss Canton of Ticino, but was obliged to quit that place on the demand of Austria, and he journeyed on to Geneva. There he was not allowed to remain, for the representatives of Austria, France, and Sardinia demanded the expulsion of himself and other Italian political refugees from the soil of Switzerland. This induced our fugitive, with a few others in similar plight, to proceed to England. Oh! how one's heart rejoices, and one's bosom glows, at the fact that England is a home for the sons of freedom at all times. What Englishman does not feel proud that our ancestors not only won for us the freedom that we ourselves enjoy; but that our country stands with open arms to receive into its warm and strong embrace any man, all the world over, who, from a love of liberty, is obliged to leave the land of his nativity. That man deserves not the name of Englishman who does not feel that he would freely offer up his own life, were it needed, to perpetuate

the freedom and security that we enjoy ; or who would not offer a friendly greeting to any one who hates despots and loves liberty, come from whatever quarter of the world he may.

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The little band of revolutionists, being desirous of taking the route through France to England, but not certain that they would be permitted to do so, sent forward one of their number M. Aubrey Bezzi, a name well known in England in connection with art for many years pioneer. This gentleman was stopped at Gex, and stripped; but, nothing being found upon him, was ordered to return. Frustrated in their attempts to pass through France, these pilgrims in search of liberty and sanctuary made their way by the Rhine and the Netherlands, and safely arrived in England in the month of May, 1823. Upon arriving in London, they were received with open arms by Ugo Foscolo, their countryman, who, before this, had fled from his native land as they had done, because he would breathe the sharp free air of England. Foscolo laid aside the sword when he gained our shores, and pursued his classic studies peacefully among us, and died in 1827. We remember that Garibaldi, when last in England, went, in company with Sir Anthony, to visit the grave of their great countryman-both poet and patriot— who was buried at Chiswick. His remains have been subsequently removed to the church of Santa