By the way, Chaucer commences The Assembly of Foules with part of the first aphorism of Hippocrates, "Ὁ βιος βραχὺς ἡ δὲ τέχνη μακρή" (but this, I suppose, had been noticed before):
"The lyfe so short, the craft so long to lerne."
Chaucer was forty years old, or upwards, in 1372, when he was sent as an envoy to treat with the duke, citizens, and merchants of Genoa; and if, as is probable, he had translated Troilus and Creseide out of the "Lombarde tonge" in his youth (according to the testimony of Lydgate), it is not unreasonable to infer that his knowledge of Italian may have led to his being chosen to fill that office. But, however this may be, abundant proof has been adduced that Chaucer was familiarly acquainted with Italian.
I may briefly remark, in conclusion, that the dates and other circumstances favour the supposed interview at Padua, between Fraunceis Petrark the laureate poet, and Dan Chaucer,
"Floure of poets throughout all Bretaine."
J. M. B.
Tunbridge Wells.
THE REBELLION OF '45.—UNPUBLISHED LETTER.
Inverness, 16th Aprile, 1746.