The Charterhouse of Parma · Chapter
Endnotes explained
The endnotes provide explanatory annotations on Italian customs, literary references, historical figures, and translation notes referenced in the main text.
What happens
The endnotes provide explanatory annotations on Italian customs, literary references, historical figures, and translation notes referenced in the main text.
Key passages
“By the local custom, borrowed from Germany, this title is given to every son of a Marchese; Contino to the son of a Conte, Contessina to the daughter of a Conte, etc.”
In the local tradition, derived from Germany, the title 'Contino' is used for the son of a Count, and 'Contessina' for the daughter of a Count, while every son of a Marchese receives a specific title.
Explains Italian aristocratic title conventions.
“The speaker is carried away by passion; he is rendering in prose some lines of the famous Monti.”
The speaker, overcome by emotion, is paraphrasing verses by the renowned poet Monti into prose.
Identifies a literary allusion to Monti.
“Silvio Pellico has given this name a European notoriety: it is that of the street in Milan in which the police headquarters and prisons are situated.”
Silvio Pellico made this street name famous across Europe; it is the Milanese street housing the police headquarters and prisons.
Historical reference to Pellico's influence.
“See the curious Memoirs of M. Andryane, as entertaining as a novel, and as lasting as Tacitus.”
Refer to the intriguing memoirs of M. Andryane, which are as engaging as a novel and as enduring as the works of Tacitus.
Recommends Andryane's memoirs for their narrative and historical value.
“In Italy, young men with influence or brains become Monsignori and prelati , which does not mean bishop; they then wear violet stockings. A man need not take any vows to become Monsignore ; he can discard his violet stockings and marry.”
In Italy, influential or intelligent young men can become Monsignori or prelati without becoming bishops; they wear violet stockings and are not required to take vows, allowing them to marry and later abandon the clerical dress.
Clarifies the Italian ecclesiastical title system.
“Pier-Luigi, the first sovereign of the Farnese family, so renowned for his virtues, was, as is generally known, a natural son of His Holiness Pope Paul III .”
Pier-Luigi, the first ruler of the Farnese dynasty, celebrated for his virtues, was the illegitimate son of Pope Paul III.
Historical note on the Farnese lineage.