I once attended here [Florence] a solemn Accademia, which always supposes the presence of the sovereign. The king, however, was only represented by his picture hung on the throne, and his chair of state was reversed on the audience. On each side of the throne were academicians seated round tables, and in the gallery was a band of music, the only thing excellent that I heard.

 Sarchiani, being Lettore d'eloquenza Toscana, opened the Accademia with an oration elegantly dressed in the common-place of elogy [sic]. Then music. Next rose La Fantastici and read a copy of verses on the late peace; a subject which entered allusively into all the succeeding compositions in Italian, Latin, and Greek. These were read by their authors. My blind acquaintance Giotti recited some sonnets. Music and applause crowned the recitations; but the applause carne chiefly from the academicians themselves, for the audience gradually withdrew, muttering—"seccatura!"