On his return to Florence he was hospitably
entertained by the marquis of Normanby, then English ambassador to the
court of Tuscany, and this enlightened nobleman strongly encouraged
him to extend his repertory of Shakespearian characters. In 1865
occurred the sixth centenary of Dante's birthday, and the four
greatest Italian actors were invited to perform in Silvio Pellico's
tragedy of _Francesca di Rimini_, which is founded on an episode in
the _Divina Commedia_. The cast originally stood on the play-bills
thus: Francesca, Signora Ristori; Lancelotto, Signor Rossi; Paulo,
Signor Salvini; and Guido, Signor Majeroni. It happened, however, that
Rossi, who was unaccustomed to play the part of Lancelotto, felt timid
at appearing in a character so little suited to him. Hearing this,
Signor Salvini, with exquisite politeness and good-nature, volunteered
to take the insignificant part, relinquishing the grand _role_ of
Paulo to his junior in the profession. He created by the force of his
genius an impression in the minor part which is still vivid in
the minds of all who witnessed the performance. The government of
Florence, grateful for his urbanity, presented him with a statuette of
Dante, and King Victor Emmanuel rewarded him with the title of knight
of the Order of the Saints Maurice and Lazarus. Later he received from
the same monarch a diamond ring, with the rank of officer in the Order
of the Crown of Italy.
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