It was lovely September weather--just the time for Venice.

The summer days were drawing in, but there was the moon, quite light enough on the lagoons; and we were a great deal happier than the day was long.
Those Scientific Congresses, of which that at Venice was the seventh and the last, played a curious part, which has not been much observed or noted by historians, in the story of the winning of Italian independence.

I believe that the first congress, at Pisa, I think, was really got up by men of science, with a view to furthering their own objects and pursuits.

It was followed by others in successive autumns at Lucca, Milan, Genoa, Naples, Florence, and this seventh and last at Venice.

But Italy was in those days thinking of other matters than science.