January 30, 1775

Walter Savage Landor (January 30, 1775 to September 17, 1864),  exemplifies the richness of spirit a life of independent wealth may sometimes convey. His splendid gestures were often self-destructive, as when he burned some of his own poetry. He is widely considered one of the best writers of the 19th century, BY, the others writers of the time. His habitual generosity resulted in his spending his last years in exile and poverty. The Brownings looked out for him as long as they were in Italy. Let us look away from his dignified death, and remember his kindness for animals, now, and that includes cats. He wrote about trying to dissuade his cat Cincirillo, from killing pigeons, but could not succeed in altering that feline behavior. He said of his cat

I doubt his memory much, his heart a little,
And in some minor matters (may I say it?)
Could wish him rather sager.

The friends of Walter Savage Landor were many, and they adored his wit, and writing.