Shortly after the retirement of Mr. Panizzi a question was put by Lord Houghton, in the House of Lords, as to any proposed alteration in the managing body of the Museum. In the course of these conversational remarks, Lord Houghton said that "the Principal Librarian of the British Museum was really at the head of the whole of that establishment, and was the life and soul of its administration.

When Mr. Panizzi was appointed to his office several years ago, he (Lord Houghton) called attention to that appointment in the other House; and he did so because, notwithstanding the respect which he entertained for the character and abilities of Mr. Panizzi, he thought that, in the present dearth of honours and emoluments for literary men in this country, such an office ought to have been conferred by her Majesty's Government on some gentleman not of foreign extraction. He still adhered to that opinion, although he believed that the administration of that gentleman had been one of considerable efficiency." Earl Russell said, in reply:—“ With regard to the appointment of Mr. Panizzi, to which the noble Lord had referred, he believed that it was a wise appointment. He was a man of great ability and acquirements, and had conducted the affairs of the Museum, as far as they belonged to his department, under the direction. of the Trustees, very much to his own credit, and to the advantage of the public." Lord

Taunton remarked that "he scarcely thought it consistent with the famed hospitality of this country to object to a gentleman of ability on the ground that he was a foreigner." This was followed by Earl Stanhope, who said that "he also desired to bear his testimony to the great merits and services of Mr. Panizzi. He thought it was impossible for any man to have applied himself to the duties of his office with more zeal, more ability, and more unremitting attention than that gentleman had done. He should add that he could not but think that, in the selection of such an officer, all that the Government had to do was to look out for the most competent person; and that the fact of a man being a foreigner ought to be no reason for not accepting his services."*

It is seldom that any public servant has been so happy as to find his services so recognised by men of all political opinions; and it is a remarkable fact that, through Mr. Panizzi's long career as an official man, no attack has ever been made upon him, where reply was proper, that has not given an occasion for some distinguished man to defend his good name, and offer, at the same time, a willing testimony to the value of his services to the public.

Few men have enjoyed so high a social position as the subject of this brief and imperfect sketch. Many of his early contemporaries have long since

* Hansard's Parliamentary Debates, Feb. 12, 1866.

passed away. The gatherings at Holland House, where Mr. Panizzi was rarely or ever absent, included men of the highest position as statesmen, orators, poets, wits, and in literature. To mention a few of them is only to be reminded that they are gone. Lord and Lady Holland, Lord Brougham, Lord Jeffrey, Lord Lansdowne, Lord Macaulay, Sydney Smith, Samuel Rogers, Tom Moore, Mr. Hallam, Lord Melbourne, Lord Palmerston, Thackeray, and others that come to our recollection, have all passed away. The bare mention of such names is sufficient to remind any one that the high social position of Mr. Panizzi was such that few men have enjoyed. The dinners at Mr. Grenville's were equally remarkable for the intellectual galaxy that surrounded that venerable and honoured man, who, in the quietude of his choice and almost unequalled library, delighted to call around him the choice spirits of the age, and entertain them with a bounteous hospitality, at once liberal and refined. At Mr. Grenville's dinner-parties Mr. Panizzi met Panizzi met most of the celebrities of the day; of these but few, very few, now remain. Earl Russell, Lord Stanhope, the Earl of Harrowby, Lord Delemere, Sir David Dundas, Mr. Gladstone, and one or two more, are all that we can number. May these be spared for many years, though Earl Russell and Sir David Dundas carry us back to a political period beyond the personal recollections of most of our readers. Mr. Gladstone has all the fire and energy of his

more youthful days; and may, we trust, be spared to do nobler things than any that he has already accomplished.

Mr. Panizzi, on leaving his official residence at the Museum, removed to Bloomsbury Square, where, surrounded by some of his much-loved books and friends, he enjoys the rest and leisure so well earned, and so much needed:

"Where may he live to crown

A youth of labour with an age of ease."

The honorary degree of D.C.L. was conferred on him by the University of Oxford; the honour of knighthood was offered to him some years since, but was then respectfully declined. He was, however, gazetted on the 27th of July, 1869, as Sir Anthony Panizzi, K.C.B.

It has been truly remarked that "Mr. Panizzi has been so much occupied in providing literary materials for others, that he has had little leisure for literary labours himself." His works are :1. An Elementary Italian Grammar. London, 1828. 12mo. 2. Extracts from Italian Prose Writers. London, 1828. 12mo. 3. Orlando Innamorato di Bojardo, Orlando Furioso di Ariosto; with an Essay on the Romantic Narrative Poetry of the Italians, Memoirs, and Notes. 9 vols, London, 1830-34. 8vo. 4. Sonetti e Canzone di Bojardo; edited, with Notes. London, 1835. 4to.

Printed for private circulation. 5. On the Supply of Printed Books from the Library to the Reading

room. London, 1846. 8vo. Printed for private circulation. 6. A Short Guide to that Portion of the Printed Books [in the British Museum] now open to the Public. London, 1851. 12mo. 7. Chi era Francesco da Bologna? London, 1858. 16mo. An essay to prove that Francesco da Bologna, the artist who cut the types for Aldus, was the celebrated painter, Francia. Printed for private circulation. 8. Le prime quattro edizioni della Divina Commedia; letteralmente ristampate per cura di G. G. Warren, Lord Vernon; edited by A. Panizzi. London, 1858. Folio. He has also written a few controversial pamphlets on the Royal Society, and contributed not a few articles to the Quarterly, Edinburgh, Foreign Quarterly, British and Foreign Quarterly, and North British Reviews.

The writer would not omit to record Mr. Panizzi's readiness at all times to give his powerful help, in obtaining for the ill-paid subordinates in his department an increased salary for their services. This question of remuneration at the British Museum has, from the commencement of the writer's connection with the institution, always been a serious matter to married officials; who have not only to provide the necessaries, if not the comforts, of home, and secure the necessary education for their children, but also to appear as gentlemen at their daily work, and keep out of debt. When Mr. Panizzi was examined before the Royal Commissioners upon the

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