Those which I wrote on English subjects are unquestionably bad.

I had been living the best part of a life-time out of England; I knew but little comparatively of English life, and I had no business to meddle with such subjects.

But besides all this, I was always writing in periodical publications of all sorts, English and American, to such an extent that I should think the bulk of it, if brought together, would exceed that of all the many volumes I am answerable for.

No! my life in that Castle of Indolence--Italy--was not a _far-niente_ one! We were great at picnics in those Florence days.

Perhaps the most favourite place of all for such parties was Pratolino, a park belonging to the Grand Duke, about seven miles from Florence, on the Bologna road.