ABSTRACT
Mary Shelley, Byron and the other expatriates of the Pisan circle belonged to that group which Shelley defined as 'Anglo-Italian' in the article she published in Westminster Review in 1826 entitled 'The English in Italy'. Unsurprisingly, the Anglo-Italian is reported to seek among native Italians the companion of minds contingent to his/her own — sophisticated, refined, and cultured — so as to fully realize his/her Italianisation. In fact, it is suggested that the British expatriate italianizes him/herself by choosing for his/her associates 'the most refined' Italians. In other words, the Anglo-Italian's relation to native Italians is described as one of selective mixing, because it is the refined, talented and illuminated Italians who can enhance the aesthetic education of the English emigrants and, in this way, contribute to the civilising project. While the first circle of acquaintance formed by the Shelleys in Pisa consists of Italians and expatriates from England or elsewhere, the group gradually shrinks to a few chosen companions.
