[8]. Didimo Chièrico is a fictitious character, upon whom Foscolo has fathered most of his opinions and experiences, in a curious piece of writing purporting to be a sketch of Didimo and an account of his works. It contains numerous references to Sterne, by whom Foscolo was greatly influenced.
[9]. “Il cavallo di San Francesco” is a proverbial expression for going on foot—like “Shanks’ mare” in Ireland.
[10]. A favourite comic character at Florence. See Notes at end.
[11]. Athens.
[12]. I.e., the pigs, which, for some reason or other, Italians do not think fit to mention in polite society.
[13]. This is what usually happens when there is an outbreak of cholera in Southern Italy.
[14]. I.e., that he had really died of malarial fever.
[15]. See Note 4 at end.
[16]. The confusion is between Flavio Gioja, inventor of the mariner’s compass (c. 1300), and Melchiorre Gioja (1767–1829), author of a well-known manual of good breeding.
[17]. Since 1870, of course, Italian priests have, as a rule, been hostile to the Government.