In this charming and insightful memoir, Massimo d'Azeglio shares memories from his colorful life as an artist, statesman, and man of letters in 19th-century Italy. From his formative years studying art and literature in Paris to his involvement in the Italian independence movement and his tenure as prime minister, d'Azeglio offers a window into an important chapter in Italy's history. With its witty anecdotes and sophisticated prose, this book is a true gem. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.