BR answers questions on Leopardi: "1) I read Leopardi in Italian and my friend Robert Trevelyan translated his short poem 'L'infinito' which I have also printed; 2) I consider Leopardi's poetry and pessimism a good expression of what should be a scientist's creed; 3) I should not say that he was a 'great inspiration' to me as his thoughts were very similar to those that I had already; 4) I have not read any later Italian poets".