It must be acknowledged that this eminent writer has sometimes pushed too far his idolatry of Dante.

To borrow a sprightly illustration from Sir John Denham, he has not only imitated his garb, but borrowed his clothes.

He often quotes his phrases; and he has, not very judiciously as it appears to me, imitated his versification.
Nevertheless, he has displayed many of the higher excellencies of his master; and his works may justly inspire us with a hope that the Italian language will long flourish under a new literary dynasty, or rather under the legitimate line, which has at length been restored to a throne long occupied by specious usurpers.
The man to whom the literature of his country owes its origin and its revival was born in times singularly adapted to call forth his extraordinary powers.

Religious zeal, chivalrous love and honour, democratic liberty, are the three most powerful principles that have ever influenced the character of large masses of men.

Each of them singly has often excited the greatest enthusiasm, and produced the most important changes.