In six months I shall have taken all my degrees, and I may be called in to act as accoucheur to any number of women, without ever having witnessed a single accouchement!" The Roman artists would endow the middle-class with both fame and money, if they were differently treated.

The Italian race has not degenerated, whatever its enemies and its masters may say: it is as naturally capable of distinction in all the arts as ever it was.

Put a paint-brush into the hands of a child, and he will acquire the practice of painting in no time.

An apprenticeship of three or four years enables him to gain a livelihood.

The misfortune is, that they seldom get beyond this.