The Book of the Courtier

DURING Dr. Johnson’s tour to the Hebrides, he fell into discussion with Boswell over the relative advantages of great and little European courts as schools of manners. Both men agreeing that smaller courts were superior in this respect, the doctor closed the conversation by remarking, “ The best book that ever was written upon good breeding, Il Corteggiano, by Castiglione, grew up at the little court of Urbino, and you should read it.” These words were spoken in 1773. Previous to that date there had been three translations of Castiglione’s The Courtier into English. The admirable translation by Mr. Opdycke ¹ is the fourth English version, but it follows its latest predecessor by the space of a century and three quarters. Few English and American readers, except those with a knowledge of Italian, have taken Dr. Johnson’s advice to read the book.

Yet, in its present dress, there could scarcely be a more delightful volume than The Courtier. It is composed of four discussions, each extending through an entire evening, concerning the training and the character of the ideal gentleman and gentlewoman. The speakers are all residents at the court of Urbino, in the splendid summer time of the Italian Renaissance. They are scholars, soldiers, statesmen, wits, and great ladies, representing Italian culture in its most highly perfected form. Count Baldesar Castiglione, the author, whose kindly face is familiar through the portrait by his friend Raphael, now in the Louvre gallery, was for many years in the service of the Duke of Urbino. His book was written partly at Urbino and partly at Rome, between 1508 and 1516, and it was first printed at the Aldine Press, Venice, in 1528.

Not the least charm of Mr. Opdycke’s sumptuous edition is due to the full and unique collection of illustrations. There are three portraits of Castiglione, besides sixty - eight other portraits of persons mentioned or taking part in the dialogues. Many rare busts, medals, and autographs have been specially photographed for this edition. Some of the most interesting of this illustrative material is interspersed through the notes, which are models of scholarly accuracy and good taste. Indeed, this beautiful vellumbound folio, planned with the most exquisite attention to detail and printed at the De Vinne Press, may fairly be said to be in keeping with those ideals of dignity, harmony, and good breeding to which Count Castiglione gave such loyal and eloquent praise. One would like to send a copy to Dr. Johnson.