第8章

Itisquitenaturallyandwithoutanyintentiontodeceive，thatayoungmanaccustomedtopoverty，andashamedofitwhenhespeakstoarichstranger，boastsofhismeans——ofhisfortune。AsIwastalkingwithmynewacquaintance，Irecollectedanamalgamofmercurywithleadandbismuth，bywhichthemercuryincreasesone—fourthinweight。Isaidnothing，butIbethoughtmyselfthatifthemysteryshouldbeunknowntotheGreekImightprofitbyit。Ifeltthatsomecunningwasnecessary，andthathewouldnotcareformysecretifIproposedtosellittohimwithoutpreparingtheway。Thebestplanwastoastonishmymanwiththemiracleoftheaugmentationofthemercury，treatitasajest，andseewhathisintentionswouldbe。Cheatingisacrime，buthonestcunningmaybeconsideredasaspeciesofprudence。True，itisaqualitywhichisnearakintoroguery；butthatcannotbehelped，andthemanwho，intimeofneed，doesnotknowhowtoexercisehiscunningnoblyisafool。TheGreekscallthissortofwisdomCerdaleophyonfromthewordcerdo；

fox，anditmightbetranslatedbyfoxdomifthereweresuchawordinEnglish。

Afterwehadvisitedthepalacewereturnedtotheinn，andtheGreektookmetohisroom，inwhichheorderedthetabletobelaidfortwo。InthenextroomIsawseverallargevesselsofmuscatelwineandfourflagonsofmercury，eachcontainingabouttenpounds。

Myplanswerelaid，andIaskedhimtoletmehaveoneoftheflagonsofmercuryatthecurrentprice，andtookittomyroom。TheGreekwentouttoattendtohisbusiness，remindingmethatheexpectedmetodinner。Iwentoutlikewise，andboughttwopoundsandahalfofleadandanequalquantityofbismuth；thedruggisthadnomore。I

camebacktotheinn，askedforsomelargeemptybottles，andmadetheamalgam。

Wedinedverypleasantly，andtheGreekwasdelightedbecauseI

pronouncedhisCerigoexcellent。InthecourseofconversationheinquiredlaughinglywhyIhadboughtoneofhisflagonsofmercury。

"Youcanfindoutifyoucometomyroom，"Isaid。

Afterdinnerwerepairedtomyroom，andhefoundhismercurydividedintwovessels。Iaskedforapieceofchamois，strainedtheliquidthroughit，filledhisownflagon，andtheGreekstoodastonishedatthesightofthefinemercury，aboutone—fourthofaflagon，whichremainedover，withanequalquantityofapowderunknowntohim；itwasthebismuth。Mymerrylaughkeptcompanywithhisastonishment，andcallingoneoftheservantsoftheinnIsenthimtothedruggisttosellthemercurythatwasleft。Hereturnedinafewminutesandhandedmefifteencarlini。

TheGreek，whosesurprisewascomplete，askedmetogivehimbackhisownflagon，whichwastherequitefull，andworthsixtycarlini。I

handedittohimwithasmile，thankinghimfortheopportunityhehadaffordedmeofearningfifteencarlini，andtookcaretoaddthatIshouldleaveforSalernoearlythenextmorning。

"Thenwemusthavesuppertogetherthisevening，"hesaid。

DuringtheafternoonwetookawalktowardsMountVesuvius。Ourconversationwentfromonesubjecttoanother，butnoallusionwasmadetothemercury，thoughIcouldseethattheGreekhadsomethingonhismind。Atsupperhetoldme，jestingly，thatIoughttostopinPorticithenextdaytomakeforty—fivecarlinioutofthethreeotherflagonsofmercury。IansweredgravelythatIdidnotwantthemoney，andthatIhadaugmentedthefirstflagononlyforthesakeofprocuringhimanagreeablesurprise。

"But，"saidhe，"youmustbeverywealthy。"

"No，Iamnot，becauseIaminsearchofthesecretoftheaugmentationofgold，anditisaveryexpensivestudyforus。"

"Howmanyarethereinyourcompany？"

"Onlymyuncleandmyself。"

"Whatdoyouwanttoaugmentgoldfor？Theaugmentationofmercuryoughttobeenoughforyou。Pray，tellmewhetherthemercuryaugmentedbyyouto—dayisagainsusceptibleofasimilarincrease。"

"No，ifitwereso，itwouldbeanimmensesourceofwealthforus。"

"Iammuchpleasedwithyoursincerity。"

SupperoverIpaidmybill，andaskedthelandlordtogetmeacarriageandpairofhorsestotakemetoSalernoearlythenextmorning。IthankedtheGreekforhisdeliciousmuscatelwine，and，requestinghisaddressinNaples，Iassuredhimthathewouldseemewithinafortnight，asIwasdeterminedtosecureacaskofhisCerigo。

Weembracedeachother，andIretiredtobedwellpleasedwithmyday’swork，andinnowayastonishedattheGreek’snotofferingtopurchasemysecret，forIwascertainthathewouldnotsleepforanxiety，andthatIshouldseehimearlyinthemorning。Atallevents，IhadenoughmoneytoreachtheTour—du—Grec，andthereProvidencewouldtakecareofme。YetitseemedtomeverydifficulttotravelasfarasMartorano，begginglikeamendicant—friar，becausemyoutwardappearancedidnotexcitepity；peoplewouldfeelinterestedinmeonlyfromaconvictionthatIneedednothing——averyunfortunateconviction，whentheobjectofitistrulypoor。

AsIhadforseen，theGreekwasinmyroomatdaybreak。Ireceivedhiminafriendlyway，sayingthatwecouldtakecoffeetogether。

"Willingly；buttellme，reverendabbe，whetheryouwouldfeeldisposedtosellmeyoursecret？"

"Whynot？WhenwemeetinNaples——"

"Butwhynotnow？"

"IamexpectedinSalerno；besides，Iwouldonlysellthesecretforalargesumofmoney，andIamnotacquaintedwithyou。"

"Thatdoesnotmatter，asIamsufficientlyknownheretopayyouincash。Howmuchwouldyouwant？"

"Twothousandounces。"

"IagreetopayyouthatsumprovidedthatIsucceedinmakingtheaugmentationmyselfwithsuchmatterasyounametome，whichIwillpurchase。"

"Itisimpossible，becausethenecessaryingredientscannotbegothere；buttheyarecommonenoughinNaples。"

"Ifitisanysortofmetal，wecangetitattheTourdu—Grec。Wecouldgotheretogether。Canyoutellmewhatistheexpenseoftheaugmentation？"

"Oneandahalfpercent。butareyoulikewiseknownattheTour—du—

Grec，forIshouldnotliketolosemytime？"

"Yourdoubtsgrieveme。"

Sayingwhich，hetookapen，wroteafewwords，andhandedtomethisorder:

"Atsight，paytobearerthesumoffiftygoldounces，onaccountofPanagiotti。"

Hetoldmethatthebankerresidedwithintwohundredyardsoftheinn，andhepressedmetogotheremyself。Ididnotstanduponceremony，butwenttothebankerwhopaidmetheamount。Ireturnedtomyroominwhichhewaswaitingforme，andplacedthegoldonthetable，sayingthatwecouldnowproceedtogethertotheTour—du—Grec，wherewewouldcompleteourarrangementsafterthesignatureofadeedofagreement。TheGreekhadhisowncarriageandhorses；hegaveordersforthemtobegotready，andwelefttheinn；buthehadnoblyinsisteduponmytakingpossessionofthefiftyounces。

WhenwearrivedattheTour—du—Grec，hesignedadocumentbywhichhepromisedtopaymetwothousandouncesassoonasIshouldhavediscoveredtohimtheprocessofaugmentingmercurybyone—fourthwithoutinjuringitsquality，theamalgamtobeequaltothemercurywhichIhadsoldinhispresenceatPortici。

HethengavemeabillofexchangepayableatsightineightdaysonM。GenarodeCarlo。Itoldhimthattheingredientswereleadandbismuth；thefirst，combiningwithmercury，andthesecondgivingtothewholetheperfectfluiditynecessarytostrainitthroughthechamoisleather。TheGreekwentouttotrytheamalgam——Idonotknowwhere，andIdinedalone，buttowardeveninghecameback，lookingverydisconsolate，asIhadexpected。

"Ihavemadetheamalgam，"hesaid，"butthemercuryisnotperfect。"

"ItisequaltothatwhichIhavesoldinPortici，andthatistheveryletterofyourengagement。"

"Butmyengagementsayslikewisewithoutinjurytothequality。Youmustagreethatthequalityisinjured，becauseitisnolongersusceptibleoffurtheraugmentation。"

"Youknewthattobethecase；thepointisitsequalitywiththemercuryIsoldinPortici。Butweshallhavetogotolaw，andyouwilllose。Iamsorrythesecretshouldbecomepublic。Congratulateyourself，sir，for，ifyoushouldgainthelawsuit，youwillhaveobtainedmysecretfornothing。Iwouldneverhavebelievedyoucapableofdeceivingmeinsuchamanner。"

"Reverendsir，IcanassureyouthatIwouldnotwillinglydeceiveanyone。"

"Doyouknowthesecret，ordoyounot？DoyousupposeIwouldhavegivenittoyouwithouttheagreementweenteredinto？Well，therewillbesomefunoverthisaffairinNaples，andthelawyerswillmakemoneyoutofit。ButIammuchgrievedatthisturnofaffairs，andIamverysorrythatIallowedmyselftobesoeasilydeceivedbyyourfinetalk。Inthemeantime，hereareyourfiftyounces。"

AsIwastakingthemoneyoutofmypocket，frightenedtodeathlestheshouldacceptit，helefttheroom，sayingthathewouldnothaveit。Hesoonreturned；wehadsupperinthesameroom，butatseparatetables；warhadbeenopenlydeclared，butIfeltcertainthatatreatyofpeacewouldsoonbesigned。Wedidnotexchangeonewordduringtheevening，butinthemorninghecametomeasIwasgettingreadytogo。IagainofferedtoreturnthemoneyIreceived，buthetoldmetokeepit，andproposedtogivemefiftyouncesmoreifIwouldgivehimbackhisbillofexchangefortwothousand。Webegantoarguethematterquietly，andaftertwohoursofdiscussionIgavein。Ireceivedfiftyouncesmore，wedinedtogetherlikeoldfriends，andembracedeachothercordially。AsIwasbiddinghimadieu，hegavemeanorderonhishouseatNaplesforabarrelofmuscatelwine，andhepresentedmewithasplendidboxcontainingtwelverazorswithsilverhandles，manufacturedintheTour—du—Grec。

Wepartedthebestfriendsintheworldandwellpleasedwitheachother。

IremainedtwodaysinSalernotoprovidemyselfwithlinenandothernecessaries。Possessingaboutonehundredsequins，andenjoyinggoodhealth，Iwasveryproudofmysuccess，inwhichIcouldnotseeanycauseofreproachtomyself，forthecunningIhadbroughtintoplaytoinsurethesaleofmysecretcouldnotbefoundfaultwithexceptbythemostintolerantofmoralists，andsuchmenhavenoauthoritytospeakonmattersofbusiness。Atallevents，free，rich，andcertainofpresentingmyselfbeforethebishopwitharespectableappearance，andnotlikeabeggar，Isoonrecoveredmynaturalspirits，andcongratulatedmyselfuponhavingboughtsufficientexperiencetoinsuremeagainstfallingasecondtimeaneasypreytoaFatherCorsini，tothievinggamblers，tomercenarywomen，andparticularlytotheimpudentscoundrelswhobarefacedlypraisesowellthosetheyintendtodupe——aspeciesofknavesverycommonintheworld，evenamongstpeoplewhoformwhatiscalledgoodsociety。

IleftSalernowithtwopriestswhoweregoingtoCosenzaonbusiness，andwetraversedthedistanceofonehundredandforty—twomilesintwenty—twohours。ThedayaftermyarrivalinthecapitalofCalabria，ItookasmallcarriageanddrovetoMartorano。Duringthejourney，fixingmyeyesuponthefamousmareAusonaum，IfeltdelightedatfindingmyselfinthemiddleofMagnaGrecia，renderedsocelebratedfortwenty—fourcenturiesbyitsconnectionwithPythagoras。Ilookedwithastonishmentuponacountryrenownedforitsfertility，andinwhich，inspiteofnature’sprodigality，myeyesmeteverywheretheaspectofterriblemisery，thecompleteabsenceofthatpleasantsuperfluitywhichhelpsmantoenjoylife，andthedegradationoftheinhabitantssparselyscatteredonasoilwheretheyoughttobesonumerous；Ifeltashamedtoacknowledgethemasoriginatingfromthesamestockasmyself。Suchis，howevertheTerradiLavorowherelabourseemstobeexecrated，whereeverythingischeap，wherethemiserableinhabitantsconsiderthattheyhavemadeagoodbargainwhentheyhavefoundanyonedisposedtotakecareofthefruitwhichthegroundsuppliesalmostspontaneouslyintoogreatabundance，andforwhichthereisnomarket。IfeltcompelledtoadmitthejusticeoftheRomanswhohadcalledthemBrutesinsteadofByutians。ThegoodpriestswithwhomIhadbeentravellinglaughedatmydreadofthetarantulaandofthecrasydra，forthediseasebroughtonbythebiteofthoseinsectsappearedtomemorefearfuleventhanacertaindiseasewithwhichIwasalreadytoowellacquainted。Theyassuredmethatallthestoriesrelatingtothosecreatureswerefables；theylaughedatthelineswhichVirgilhasdevotedtothemintheGeorgicsaswellasatallthoseI

quotedtojustifymyfears。

IfoundBishopBernarddeBernardisoccupyingahardchairnearanoldtableonwhichhewaswriting。Ifellonmyknees，asitiscustomarytodobeforeaprelate，but，insteadofgivingmehisblessing，heraisedmeupfromthefloor，and，foldingmeinhisarms，embracedmetenderly。HeexpressedhisdeepsorrowwhenItoldhimthatinNaplesIhadnotbeenabletofindanyinstructionstoenablemetojoinhim，buthisfacelightedupagainwhenIaddedthatIwasindebtedtonooneformoney，andthatIwasingoodhealth。Hebademetakeaseat，andwithaheavysighhebegantotalkofhispoverty，andorderedaservanttolaytheclothforthreepersons。Besidesthisservant，hislordship’ssuiteconsistedofamostdevout—lookinghousekeeper，andofapriestwhomIjudgedtobeveryignorantfromthefewwordsheutteredduringourmeal。Thehouseinhabitedbyhislordshipwaslarge，butbadlybuiltandpoorlykept。Thefurniturewassomiserablethat，inordertomakeupabedformeintheroomadjoininghischamber，thepoorbishophadtogiveuponeofhistwomattresses！Hisdinner，nottosayanymoreaboutit，frightenedme，forhewasverystrictinkeepingtherulesofhisorder，andthisbeingafastday，hedidnoteatanymeat，andtheoilwasverybad。Nevertheless，monsignorwasanintelligentman，and，whatisstillbetter，anhonestman。Hetoldme，muchtomysurprise，thathisbishopric，althoughnotoneoflittleimportance，broughthiminonlyfivehundredducat—diregnoyearly，andthat，unfortunately，hehadcontracteddebtstotheamountofsixhundred。

Headded，withasigh，thathisonlyhappinesswastofeelhimselfoutoftheclutchesofthemonks，whohadpersecutedhim，andmadehislifeaperfectpurgatoryforfifteenyears。Alltheseconfidencescausedmesorrowandmortification，becausetheyprovedtome，notonlythatIwasnotinthepromisedlandwhereamitrecouldbepickedup，butalsothatIwouldbeaheavychargeforhim。

Ifeltthathewasgrievedhimselfatthesorrypresenthispatronageseemedlikelytoprove。

Ienquiredwhetherhehadagoodlibrary，whethertherewereanyliterarymen，oranygoodsocietyinwhichonecouldspendafewagreeablehours。Hesmiledandansweredthatthroughouthisdiocesetherewasnotonemanwhocouldboastofwritingdecently，andstilllessofanytasteorknowledgeinliterature；thattherewasnotasinglebookseller，noranypersoncaringevenforthenewspapers。

Buthepromisedmethatwewouldfollowourliterarytastestogether，assoonashereceivedthebookshehadorderedfromNaples。

Thatwasallverywell，butwasthistheplaceforayoungmanofeighteentolivein，withoutagoodlibrary，withoutgoodsociety，withoutemulationandliteracyintercourse？Thegoodbishop，seeingmefullofsadthoughts，andalmostastoundedattheprospectofthemiserablelifeIshouldhavetoleadwithhim，triedtogivemecouragebypromisingtodoeverythinginhispowertosecuremyhappiness。

Thenextday，thebishophavingtoofficiateinhispontificalrobes，Ihadanopportunityofseeingalltheclergy，andallthefaithfulofthediocese，menandwomen，ofwhomthecathedralwasfull；thesightmademeresolveatoncetoleaveMartorano。IthoughtIwasgazinguponatroopofbrutesforwhommyexternalappearancewasacauseofscandal。Howuglywerethewomen！Whatalookofstupidityandcoarsenessinthemen！WhenIreturnedtothebishop’shouseI

toldtheprelatethatIdidnotfeelinmethevocationtodiewithinafewmonthsamartyrinthismiserablecity。

"Givemeyourblessing，"Iadded，"andletmego；or，rather，comewithme。Ipromiseyouthatweshallmakeafortunesomewhereelse。"

Theproposalmadehimlaughrepeatedlyduringtheday。Hadheagreedtoithewouldnothavediedtwoyearsafterwardsintheprimeofmanhood。Theworthyman，feelinghownaturalwasmyrepugnance，beggedmetoforgivehimforhavingsummonedmetohim，and，consideringithisdutytosendmebacktoVenice，havingnomoneyhimselfandnotbeingawarethatIhadany，hetoldmethathewouldgivemeanintroductiontoaworthycitizenofNapleswhowouldlendmesixtyducati—di—regnotoenablemetoreachmynativecity。I

acceptedhisofferwithgratitude，andgoingtomyroomItookoutofmytrunkthecaseoffinerazorswhichtheGreekhadgivenme，andI

beggedhisacceptanceofitasasouvenirofme。Ihadgreatdifficultyinforcingituponhim，foritwasworththesixtyducats，andtoconquerhisresistanceIhadtothreatentoremainwithhimifherefusedmypresent。HegavemeaveryflatteringletterofrecommendationfortheArchbishopofCosenza，inwhichherequestedhimtoforwardmeasfarasNapleswithoutanyexpensetomyself。ItwasthusIleftMartoranosixtyhoursaftermyarrival，pityingthebishopwhomIwasleavingbehind，andwhoweptashewaspouringheartfeltblessingsuponme。

TheArchbishopofCosenza，amanofwealthandofintelligence，offeredmearoominhispalace。DuringthedinnerImade，withanoverflowingheart，theeulogyoftheBishopofMartorano；butI

railedmercilesslyathisdioceseandatthewholeofCalabriainsocuttingamannerthatIgreatlyamusedthearchbishopandallhisguests，amongstwhomweretwoladies，hisrelatives，whodidthehonoursofthedinner—table。Theyoungest，however，objectedtothesatiricalstyleinwhichIhaddepictedhercountry，anddeclaredwaragainstme；butIcontrivedtoobtainpeaceagainbytellingherthatCalabriawouldbeadelightfulcountryifone—fourthonlyofitsinhabitantswerelikeher。PerhapsitwaswiththeideaofprovingtomethatIhadbeenwronginmyopinionthatthearchbishopgaveonthefollowingdayasplendidsupper。

Cosenzaisacityinwhichagentlemancanfindplentyofamusement；

thenobilityarewealthy，thewomenarepretty，andmengenerallywell—informed，becausetheyhavebeeneducatedinNaplesorinRome。

IleftCosenzaonthethirddaywithaletterfromthearchbishopforthefar—famedGenovesi。

Ihadfivetravellingcompanions，whomIjudged，fromtheirappearance，tobeeitherpiratesorbanditti，andItookverygoodcarenottoletthemseeorguessthatIhadawell—filledpurse。I

likewisethoughtitprudenttogotobedwithoutundressingduringthewholejourney——anexcellentmeasureofprudenceforayoungmantravellinginthatpartofthecountry。

IreachedNaplesonthe16thofSeptember，1743，andIlostnotimeinpresentingtheletteroftheBishopofMartorano。ItwasaddressedtoaM。GennaroPoloatSt。Anne’s。Thisexcellentman，whosedutywasonlytogivemethesumofsixtyducats，insisted，afterperusingthebishop’sletter，uponreceivingmeinhishouse，becausehewishedmetomaketheacquaintanceofhisson，whowasapoetlikemyself。Thebishophadrepresentedmypoetryassublime。

Aftertheusualceremonies，Iacceptedhiskindinvitation，mytrunkwassentfor，andIwasaguestinthehouseofM。GennaroPolo。

CHAPTERIX

MyStayinNaples；ItIsShortbutHappy——DonAntonioCasanova——DonLelioCaraffa——IGotoRomeinVeryAgreeableCompany，andEntertheServiceofCardinalAcquaviva——Barbara——Testaccio——FrascatiIhadnodifficultyinansweringthevariousquestionswhichDoctorGennaroaddressedtome，butIwassurprised，andevendispleased，attheconstantpealsoflaughterwithwhichhereceivedmyanswers。

ThepiteousdescriptionofmiserableCalabria，andthepictureofthesadsituationoftheBishopofMartorano，appearedtomemorelikelytocallforthtearsthantoexcitehilarity，and，suspectingthatsomemystificationwasbeingplayeduponme，Iwasveryneargettingangrywhen，becomingmorecomposed，hetoldmewithfeelingthatI

mustkindlyexcusehim；thathislaughterwasadiseasewhichseemedtobeendemicinhisfamily，foroneofhisunclesdiedofit。

"What！"Iexclaimed，"diedoflaughing！"

"Yes。Thisdisease，whichwasnotknowntoHippocrates，iscalledliflati。"

"Whatdoyoumean？Doesanhypochondriacaffection，whichcausessadnessandlownessinallthosewhosufferfromit，renderyoucheerful？"

"Yes，because，mostlikely，myflati，insteadofinfluencingthehypochondrium，affectsmyspleen，whichmyphysicianassertstobetheorganoflaughter。Itisquiteadiscovery。"

"Youaremistaken；itisaveryancientnotion，anditistheonlyfunctionwhichisascribedtothespleeninouranimalorganization。"

"Well，wemustdiscussthematteratlength，forIhopeyouwillremainwithusafewweeks。"

"IwishIcould，butImustleaveNaplesto—morroworthedayafter。"

"Haveyougotanymoney？"

"Irelyuponthesixtyducatsyouhavetogiveme。"

Atthesewords，hispealsoflaughterbeganagain，andashecouldseethatIwasannoyed，hesaid，"IamamusedattheideathatIcankeepyouhereaslongasIlike。Butbegoodenoughtoseemyson；

hewritesprettyversesenough。"

Andtrulyhisson，althoughonlyfourteen，wasalreadyagreatpoet。

AservanttookmetotheapartmentoftheyoungmanwhomIfoundpossessedofapleasingcountenanceandengagingmanners。Hegavemeapolitewelcome，andbeggedtobeexcusedifhecouldnotattendtomealtogetherforthepresent，ashehadtofinishasongwhichhewascomposingforarelativeoftheDuchessdeRovino，whowastakingtheveilattheConventofSt。Claire，andtheprinterwaswaitingforthemanuscript。Itoldhimthathisexcusewasaverygoodone，andIofferedtoassisthim。Hethenreadhissong，andIfounditsofullofenthusiasm，andsotrulyinthestyleofGuidi，thatI

advisedhimtocallitanode；butasIhadpraisedallthetrulybeautifulpassages，IthoughtIcouldventuretopointouttheweakones，andIreplacedthembyversesofmyowncomposition。Hewasdelighted，andthankedmewarmly，inquiringwhetherIwasApollo。Ashewaswritinghisode，Icomposedasonnetonthesamesubject，and，expressinghisadmirationforithebeggedmetosignit，andtoallowhimtosenditwithhispoetry。

WhileIwascorrectingandrecopyingmymanuscript，hewenttohisfathertofindoutwhoIwas，whichmadetheoldmanlaughuntilsupper—time。Intheevening，Ihadthepleasureofseeingthatmybedhadbeenpreparedintheyoungman’schamber。

DoctorGennaro’sfamilywascomposedofthissonandofadaughterunfortunatelyveryplain，ofhiswifeandoftwoelderly，devoutsisters。Amongsttheguestsatthesupper—tableImetseveralliterarymen，andtheMarquisGaliani，whowasatthattimeannotatingVitruvius。Hehadabrother，anabbewhoseacquaintanceI

madetwentyyearsafter，inParis，whenhewassecretaryofembassytoCountCantillana。Thenextday，atsupper，IwaspresentedtothecelebratedGenovesi；IhadalreadysenthimtheletteroftheArchbishopofCosenza。HespoketomeofApostoloZenoandoftheAbbeConti。Heremarkedthatitwasconsideredaveryvenialsinforaregularpriesttosaytwomassesinonedayforthesakeofearningtwocarlinimore，butthatforthesamesinasecularpriestwoulddeservetobeburntatthestake。

Thenuntooktheveilonthefollowingday，andGennaro’sodeandmysonnethadthegreatestsuccess。ANeapolitangentleman，whosenamewasthesameasmine，expressedawishtoknowme，and，hearingthatIresidedatthedoctor’s，hecalledtocongratulatehimontheoccasionofhisfeast—day，whichhappenedtofallonthedayfollowingtheceremonyatSainte—Claire。

DonAntonioCasanova，informingmeofhisname，enquiredwhethermyfamilywasoriginallyfromVenice。

"Iam，sir，"Iansweredmodestly，"thegreat—grandsonoftheunfortunateMarcoAntonioCasanova，secretarytoCardinalPompeoColonna，whodiedoftheplagueinRome，intheyear1528，underthepontificateofClementVII。"Thewordswerescarcelyoutofmylipswhenheembracedme，callingmehiscousin，butweallthoughtthatDoctorGennarowouldactuallydiewithlaughter，foritseemedimpossibletolaughsoimmoderatelywithoutriskoflife。MadameGennarowasveryangryandtoldmynewly—foundcousinthathemighthaveavoidedenactingsuchascenebeforeherhusband，knowinghisdisease，butheansweredthatheneverthoughtthecircumstancelikelytoprovokemirth。Isaidnothing，for，inreality，Ifeltthattherecognitionwasverycomic。Ourpoorlaugherhavingrecoveredhiscomposure，Casanova，whohadremainedveryserious，invitedmetodinnerforthenextdaywithmyyoungfriendPaulGennaro，whohadalreadybecomemyalterego。

Whenwecalledathishouse，myworthycousinshowedmehisfamilytree，beginningwithaDonFrancisco，brotherofDonJuan。Inmypedigree，whichIknewbyheart，DonJuan，mydirectancestor，wasaposthumouschild。ItwaspossiblethattheremighthavebeenabrotherofMarcoAntonio’s；butwhenheheardthatmygenealogybeganwithDonFrancisco，fromAragon，whohadlivedinthefourteenthcentury，andthatconsequentlyallthepedigreeoftheillustrioushouseoftheCasanovasofSaragossabelongedtohim，hisjoyknewnobounds；hedidnotknowwhattodotoconvincemethatthesamebloodwasflowinginhisveinsandinmine。

HeexpressedsomecuriositytoknowwhatluckyaccidenthadbroughtmetoNaples；Itoldhimthat，havingembracedtheecclesiasticalprofession，IwasgoingtoRometoseekmyfortune。Hethenpresentedmetohisfamily，andIthoughtthatIcouldreadonthecountenanceofmycousin，hisdearlybelovedwife，thatshewasnotmuchpleasedwiththenewly—foundrelationship，buthisprettydaughter，andastillprettiernieceofhis，mightveryeasilyhavegivenmefaithinthedoctrinethatbloodisthickerthanwater，howeverfabulousitmaybe。

Afterdinner，DonAntonioinformedmethattheDuchessdeBovinohadexpressedawishtoknowtheAbbeCasanovawhohadwrittenthesonnetinhonourofherrelative，andthathewouldbeveryhappytointroducemetoherashisowncousin。Aswewerealoneatthatmoment，Ibeggedhewouldnotinsistonpresentingme，asIwasonlyprovidedwithtravellingsuits，andhadtobecarefulofmypursesoasnottoarriveinRomewithoutmoney。Delightedatmyconfidence，andapprovingmyeconomy，hesaid，"Iamrich，andyoumustnotscrupletocomewithmetomytailor；"andheaccompaniedhisofferwithanassurancethatthecircumstancewouldnotbeknowntoanyone，andthathewouldfeeldeeplymortifiedifIdeniedhimthepleasureofservingme。Ishookhimwarmlybythehand，andansweredthatI

wasreadytodoanythinghepleased。Wewenttoatailorwhotookmymeasure，andwhobroughtmeonthefollowingdayeverythingnecessarytothetoiletofthemostelegantabbe。DonAntoniocalledonme，andremainedtodinewithDonGennaro，afterwhichhetookmeandmyfriendPaultotheduchess。Thislady，accordingtotheNeapolitanfashion，calledmethouinherveryfirstcomplimentofwelcome。Herdaughter，thenonlytenortwelveyearsold，wasveryhandsome，andafewyearslaterbecameDuchessdeMatalona。Theduchesspresentedmewithasnuff—boxinpaletortoise—shellwitharabesqueincrustationsingold，andsheinvitedustodinewithheronthemorrow，promisingtotakeusafterdinnertotheConventofSt。Clairetopayavisittothenewnun。

Aswecameoutofthepalaceoftheduchess，IleftmyfriendsandwentalonetoPanagiotti’stoclaimthebarrelofmuscatelwine。Themanagerwaskindenoughtohavethebarreldividedintotwosmallercasksofequalcapacity，andIsentonetoDonAntonio，andtheothertoDonGennaro。AsIwasleavingtheshopImettheworthyPanagiotti，whowasgladtoseeme。WasItoblushatthesightofthegoodmanIhadatfirstdeceived？No，forinhisopinionIhadactedverynoblytowardshim。

DonGennaro，asIreturnedhome，managedtothankmeformyhandsomepresentwithoutlaughing，andthenextdayDonAntonio，tomakeupforthemuscatelwineIhadsenthim，offeredmeagold—headedcane，worthatleastfifteenounces，andhistailorbroughtmeatravellingsuitandabluegreatcoat，withthebuttonholesingoldlace。I

thereforefoundmyselfsplendidlyequipped。

AttheDuchessdeBovino’sdinnerImadetheacquaintanceofthewisestandmostlearnedmaninNaples，theillustriousDonLelioCaraffa，whobelongedtotheducalfamilyofMatalona，andwhomKingCarloshonouredwiththetitleoffriend。

Ispenttwodelightfulhoursintheconventparlour，copingsuccessfullywiththecuriosityofallthenunswhowerepressingagainstthegrating。HaddestinyallowedmetoremaininNaplesmyfortunewouldhavebeenmade；but，althoughIhadnofixedplan，thevoiceoffatesummonedmetoRome，andthereforeIresistedalltheentreatiesofmycousinAntoniotoacceptthehonourablepositionoftutorinseveralhousesofthehighestorder。

DonAntoniogaveasplendiddinnerinmyhonour，buthewasannoyedandangrybecausehesawthathiswifelookeddaggersathernewcousin。Ithoughtthat，morethanonce，shecastaglanceatmynewcostume，andthenwhisperedtotheguestnexttoher。Verylikelysheknewwhathadtakenplace。TherearesomepositionsinlifetowhichIcouldneverbereconciled。If，inthemostbrilliantcircle，thereisonepersonwhoaffectstostareatmeIloseallpresenceofmind。Self—dignityfeelsoutraged，mywitdiesaway，andIplaythepartofadolt。Itisaweaknessonmypart，butaweaknessIcannotovercome。

DonLelioCaraffaofferedmeaveryliberalsalaryifIwouldundertaketheeducationofhisnephew，theDukedeMatalona，thentenyearsofage。Iexpressedmygratitude，andbeggedhimtobemytruebenefactorinadifferentmanner——namely，bygivingmeafewgoodlettersofintroductionforRome，afavourwhichhegrantedatonce。

HegavemeoneforCardinalAcquaviva，andanotherforFatherGeorgi。

IfoundoutthattheinterestfelttowardsmebymyfriendshadinducedthemtoobtainformethehonourofkissingthehandofHerMajestytheQueen，andIhastenedmypreparationstoleaveNaples，forthequeenwouldcertainlyhaveaskedmesomequestions，andI

couldnothaveavoidedtellingherthatIhadjustleftMartoranoandthepoorbishopwhomshehadsentthere。Thequeenlikewiseknewmymother；shewouldverylikelyhavealludedtomymother’sprofessioninDresden；itwouldhavemortifiedDonAntonio，andmypedigreewouldhavebeencoveredwithridicule。Iknewtheforceofprejudice！Ishouldhavebeenruined，andIfeltIshoulddowelltowithdrawingoodtime。AsItookleaveofhim，DonAntoniopresentedmewithafinegoldwatchandgavemealetterforDonGasparVidaldi，whomhecalledhisbestfriend。DonGennaropaidmethesixtyducats，andhisson，swearingeternalfriendship，askedmetowritetohim。Theyallaccompaniedmetothecoach，blendingtheirtearswithmine，andloadingmewithgoodwishesandblessings。

>FrommylandinginChiozzauptomyarrivalinNaples，fortunehadseemedbentuponfrowningonme；inNaplesitbegantoshewitselflessadverse，andonmyreturntothatcityitentirelysmileduponme。Napleshasalwaysbeenafortunateplaceforme，asthereaderofmymemoirswilldiscover。MyreadersmustnotforgetthatinPorticiIwasonthepointofdisgracingmyself，andthereisnoremedyagainstthedegradationofthemind，fornothingcanrestoreittoitsformerstandard。Itisacaseofdishearteningatonyforwhichthereisnopossiblecure。

IwasnotungratefultothegoodBishopofMartorano，for，ifhehadunwittinglyinjuredmebysummoningmetohisdiocese，IfeltthattohisletterforM。GennaroIwasindebtedforallthegoodfortunewhichhadjustbefallenme。IwrotetohimfromRome。

IwaswhollyengagedindryingmytearsasweweredrivingthroughthebeautifulstreetofToledo，anditwasonlyafterwehadleftNaplesthatIcouldfindtimetoexaminethecountenanceofmytravellingcompanions。Nexttome，Isawamanoffromfortytofifty，withapleasingfaceandalivelyair，but，oppositetome，twocharmingfacesdelightedmyeyes。Theybelongedtotwoladies，youngandpretty，verywelldressed，withalookofcandourandmodesty。Thisdiscoverywasmostagreeable，butIfeltsadandI

wantedcalmandsilence。WereachedAvessawithoutonewordbeingexchanged，andasthevetturinostoppedthereonlytowaterhismules，wedidnotgetoutofthecoach。FromAvessatoCapuamycompanionsconversedalmostwithoutinterruption，and，wonderfultorelate！Ididnotopenmylipsonce。IwasamusedbytheNeapolitanjargonofthegentleman，andbytheprettyaccentoftheladies，whowereevidentlyRomans。Itwasamostwonderfulfeatformetoremainfivehoursbeforetwocharmingwomenwithoutaddressingonewordtothem，withoutpayingthemonecompliment。

AtCapua，whereweweretospendthenight，weputupataninn，andwereshownintoaroomwithtwobeds——averyusualthinginItaly。

TheNeapolitan，addressinghimselftome，said，"AmItohavethehonourofsleepingwiththereverendgentleman？"

Iansweredinaveryserioustonethatitwasforhimtochooseortoarrangeitotherwise，ifheliked。Theanswermadethetwoladiessmile，particularlytheonewhomIpreferred，anditseemedtomeagoodomen。

Wewerefiveatsupper，foritisusualforthevetturinotosupplyhistravellerswiththeirmeals，unlesssomeprivateagreementismadeotherwise，andtositdownattablewiththem。Inthedesultorytalkwhichwentonduringthesupper，Ifoundinmytravellingcompanionsdecorum，propriety，wit，andthemannersofpersonsaccustomedtogoodsociety。Ibecamecurioustoknowwhotheywere，andgoingdownwiththedriveraftersupper，Iaskedhim。

"Thegentleman，"hetoldme，"isanadvocate，andoneoftheladiesishiswife，butIdonotknowwhichofthetwo。"

Iwentbacktoourroom，andIwaspoliteenoughtogotobedfirst，inordertomakeiteasierfortheladiestoundressthemselveswithfreedom；Ilikewisegotupfirstinthemorning，lefttheroom，andonlyreturnedwhenIwascalledforbreakfast。Thecoffeewasdelicious。Ipraisedithighly，andthelady，theonewhowasmyfavourite，promisedthatIshouldhavethesameeverymorningduringourjourney。Thebarbercameinafterbreakfast；theadvocatewasshaved，andthebarberofferedmehisservices，whichIdeclined，buttheroguedeclaredthatitwasslovenlytowearone’sbeard。

Whenwehadresumedourseatsinthecoach，theadvocatemadesomeremarkupontheimpudenceofbarbersingeneral。

"Butweoughttodecidefirst，"saidthelady，"whetherornotitisslovenlytogobearded。"

"Ofcourseitis，"saidtheadvocate。"Beardisnothingbutadirtyexcrescence。"

"Youmaythinkso，"Ianswered，"buteverybodydoesnotshareyouropinion。Doweconsiderasadirtyexcrescencethehairofwhichwetakesomuchcare，andwhichisofthesamenatureasthebeard？Farfromit；weadmirethelengthandthebeautyofthehair。"

"Then，"remarkedthelady，"thebarberisafool。"

"Butafterall，"Iasked，"haveIanybeard？"

"Ithoughtyouhad，"sheanswered。

"Inthatcase，IwillbegintoshaveassoonasIreachRome，forthisisthefirsttimethatIhavebeenconvictedofhavingabeard。"

"Mydearwife，"exclaimedtheadvocate，"youshouldhaveheldyourtongue；perhapsthereverendabbeisgoingtoRomewiththeintentionofbecomingaCapuchinfriar。"

Thepleasantrymademelaugh，but，unwillingthatheshouldhavethelastword，Iansweredthathehadguessedrightly，thatsuchhadbeenmyintention，butthatIhadentirelyalteredmymindsinceIhadseenhiswife。

"Oh！youarewrong，"saidthejoyousNeapolitan，"formywifeisveryfondofCapuchins，andifyouwishtopleaseher，youhadbetterfollowyouroriginalvocation。"Ourconversationcontinuedinthesametoneofpleasantry，andthedaypassedoffinanagreeablemanner；intheeveningwehadaverypoorsupperatGarillan，butwemadeupforitbycheerfulnessandwittyconversation。Mydawninginclinationfortheadvocate’swifeborrowedstrengthfromtheaffectionatemannershedisplayedtowardsme。

Thenextdaysheaskedme，afterwehadresumedourjourney，whetherIintendedtomakealongstayinRomebeforereturningtoVenice。I

answeredthat，havingnoacquaintancesinRome，Iwasafraidmylifetherewouldbeverydull。

"StrangersarelikedinRome，"shesaid，"Ifeelcertainthatyouwillbepleasedwithyourresidenceinthatcity。"

"MayIhope，madam，thatyouwillallowmetopayyoumyrespects？"

"Weshallbehonouredbyyourcallingonus，"saidtheadvocate。

Myeyeswerefixeduponhischarmingwife。Sheblushed，butIdidnotappeartonoticeit。Ikeptuptheconversation，andthedaypassedaspleasantlyasthepreviousone。WestoppedatTerracina，wheretheygaveusaroomwiththreebeds，twosinglebedsandalargeonebetweenthetwoothers。Itwasnaturalthatthetwosistersshouldtakethelargebed；theydidso，andundressedthemselveswhiletheadvocateandIwentontalkingatthetable，withourbacksturnedtothem。Assoonastheyhadgonetorest，theadvocatetookthebedonwhichhefoundhisnightcap，andItheother，whichwasonlyaboutonefootdistantfromthelargebed。I

remarkedthattheladybywhomIwascaptivatedwasonthesidenearestmycouch，and，withoutmuchvanity，Icouldsupposethatitwasnotowingonlytochance。

Iputthelightoutandlaiddown，revolvinginmymindaprojectwhichIcouldnotabandon，andyetdurstnotexecute。InvaindidI

courtsleep。Averyfaintlightenabledmetoperceivethebedinwhichtheprettywomanwaslying，andmyeyeswould，inspiteofmyself，remainopen。ItwouldbedifficulttoguesswhatImighthavedoneatlast（Ihadalreadyfoughtahardbattlewithmyselfformorethananhour），whenIsawherrise，getoutofherbed，andgoandlayherselfdownnearherhusband，who，mostlikely，didnotwakeup，andcontinuedtosleepinpeace，forIdidnothearanynoise。

Vexed，disgusted……Itriedtocomposemyselftosleep，andIwokeonlyatday—break。Seeingthebeautifulwanderingstarinherownbed，Igotup，dressedmyselfinhaste，andwentout，leavingallmycompanionsfastasleep。Ireturnedtotheinnonlyatthetimefixedforourdeparture，andIfoundtheadvocateandthetwoladiesalreadyinthecoach，waitingforme。

Theladycomplained，inaveryobligingmanner，ofmynothavingcaredforhercoffee；Ipleadedasanexcuseadesireforanearlywalk，andItookcarenottohonourherevenwithalook；Ifeignedtobesufferingfromthetoothache，andremainedinmycornerdullandsilent。AtPipernoshemanagedtowhispertomethatmytoothachewasallsham；Iwaspleasedwiththereproach，becauseitheraldedanexplanationwhichIcravedfor，inspiteofmyvexation。

DuringtheafternoonIcontinuedmypolicyofthemorning。IwasmoroseandsilentuntilwereachedSerinonetta，whereweweretopassthenight。Wearrivedearly，andtheweatherbeingfine，theladysaidthatshecouldenjoyawalk，andaskedmepolitelytoofferhermyarm。Ididso，foritwouldhavebeenrudetorefuse；besidesI

hadhadenoughofmysulkingfit。Anexplanationcouldalonebringmattersbacktotheiroriginalstanding，butIdidnotknowhowtoforceituponthelady。Herhusbandfollowedusatsomedistancewiththesister。

Whenwewerefarenoughinadvance，Iventuredtoaskherwhyshehadsupposedmytoothachetohavebeenfeigned。

"Iamverycandid，"shesaid；"itisbecausethedifferenceinyourmannerwassomarked，andbecauseyouweresocarefultoavoidlookingatmethroughthewholeday。Atoothachewouldnothavepreventedyoufrombeingpolite，andthereforeIthoughtithadbeenfeignedforsomepurpose。ButIamcertainthatnotoneofuscanpossiblyhavegivenyouanygroundsforsucharapidchangeinyourmanner。"

"Yetsomethingmusthavecausedthechange，andyou，madam，areonlyhalfsincere。"

"Youaremistaken，sir，Iamentirelysincere；andifIhavegivenyouanymotiveforanger，Iam，andmustremain，ignorantofit。BegoodenoughtotellmewhatIhavedone。"

"Nothing，forIhavenorighttocomplain。"

"Yes，youhave；youhavearight，thesamethatIhavemyself；therightwhichgoodsocietygrantstoeveryoneofitsmembers。Speak，andshewyourselfassincereasIam。"

"Youarecertainlyboundnottoknow，ortopretendnottoknowtherealcause，butyoumustacknowledgethatmydutyistoremainsilent。"

"Verywell；nowitisallover；butifyourdutybidsyoutoconcealthecauseofyourbadhumour，italsobidsyounottoshewit。

Delicacysometimesenforcesuponapolitegentlemanthenecessityofconcealingcertainfeelingswhichmightimplicateeitherhimselforothers；itisarestraintforthemind，Iconfess，butithassomeadvantagewhenitseffectistorendermoreamiablethemanwhoforceshimselftoacceptthatrestraint。"Hercloseargumentmademeblushforshame，andcarryingherbeautifulhandtomylips，I

confessedmyselfinthewrong。

"Youwouldseemeatyourfeet，"Iexclaimed，"intokenofmyrepentance，wereInotafraidofinjuringyou———"

"Donotletusalludetothematteranymore，"sheanswered。

And，pleasedwithmyrepentance，shegavemealooksoexpressiveofforgivenessthat，withoutbeingafraidofaugmentingmyguilt，ItookmylipsoffherhandandIraisedthemtoherhalf—open，smilingmouth。Intoxicatedwithrapture，Ipassedsorapidlyfromastateofsadnesstooneofoverwhelmingcheerfulnessthatduringoursuppertheadvocateenjoyedathousandjokesuponmytoothache，soquicklycuredbythesimpleremedyofawalk。OnthefollowingdaywedinedatVelletriandsleptinMarino，where，althoughthetownwasfulloftroops，wehadtwosmallroomsandagoodsupper。IcouldnothavebeenonbettertermswithmycharmingRoman；for，althoughIhadreceivedbutarapidproofofherregard，ithadbeensuchatrueone——suchatenderone！Inthecoachoureyescouldnotsaymuch；

butIwasoppositetoher，andourfeetspokeaveryeloquentlanguage。

TheadvocatehadtoldmethathewasgoingtoRomeonsomeecclesiasticalbusiness，andthatheintendedtoresideinthehouseofhismother—in—law，whomhiswifehadnotseensincehermarriage，twoyearsago，andhersisterhopedtoremaininRome，wheresheexpectedtomarryaclerkattheSpiritoSantoBank。Hegavemetheiraddress，withapressinginvitationtocalluponthem，andI

promisedtodevoteallmysparetimetothem。

Wewereenjoyingourdessert，whenmybeautifullady—love，admiringmysnuff—box，toldherhusbandthatshewishedshehadonelikeit。

"Iwillbuyyouone，dear。"

"Thenbuymine，"Isaid；"Iwillletyouhaveitfortwentyounces，andyoucangivemeanoteofhandpayabletobearerinpayment。I

owethatamounttoanEnglishman，andIwillgiveithimtoredeemmydebt。"

"Yoursnuff—box，mydearabbe，isworthtwentyounces，butIcannotbuyitunlessyouagreetoreceivepaymentincash；Ishouldbedelightedtoseeitinmywife’spossession，andshewouldkeepitasaremembranceofyou。"

Hiswife，thinkingthatIwouldnotaccepthisoffer，saidthatshehadnoobjectiontogivemethenoteofhand。

"But，"exclaimedtheadvocate，"canyounotguesstheEnglishmanexistsonlyinourfriend’simagination？Hewouldneverenteranappearance，andwewouldhavethesnuff—boxfornothing。Donottrusttheabbe，mydear，heisagreatcheat。"

"Ihadnoidea，"answeredhiswife，lookingatme，"thattheworldcontainedroguesofthisspecies。"

Iaffectedamelancholyair，andsaidthatIonlywishedmyselfrichenoughtobeoftenguiltyofsuchcheating。

Whenamanisinloveverylittleisenoughtothrowhimintodespair，andaslittletoenhancehisjoytotheutmost。Therewasbutonebedintheroomwheresupperhadbeenserved，andanotherinasmallclosetleadingoutoftheroom，butwithoutadoor。Theladieschosethecloset，andtheadvocateretiredtorestbeforeme。

Ibidtheladiesgoodnightassoonastheyhadgonetobed；Ilookedatmydearmistress，andafterundressingmyselfIwenttobed，intendingnottosleepthroughthenight。ButthereadermayimaginemyragewhenIfound，asIgotintothebed，thatitcreakedloudenoughtowakethedead。Iwaited，however，quitemotionless，untilmycompanionshouldbefastasleep，andassoonashissnoringtoldmethathewasentirelyundertheinfluenceofMorpheus，Itriedtoslipoutofthebed；buttheinfernalcreakingwhichtookplacewheneverImoved，wokemycompanion，whofeltaboutwithhishand，and，findingmenearhim，wenttosleepagain。Halfanhourafter，I

triedasecondtime，butwiththesameresult。Ihadtogiveitupindespair。

Loveisthemostcunningofgods；inthemidstofobstaclesheseemstobeinhisownelement，butashisveryexistencedependsupontheenjoymentofthosewhoardentlyworshiphim，theshrewd，all—seeing，littleblindgodcontrivestobringsuccessoutofthemostdesperatecase。

Ihadgivenupallhopeforthenight，andhadnearlygonetosleep，whensuddenlywehearadreadfulnoise。Gunsarefiredinthestreet，people，screamingandhowling，arerunningupanddownthestairs；atlastthereisaloudknockingatourdoor。Theadvocate，frightenedoutofhisslumbers，asksmewhatitcanallmean；I

pretendtobeveryindifferent，andbegtobeallowedtosleep。Buttheladiesaretremblingwithfear，andloudlycallingforalight。

Iremainveryquiet，theadvocatejumpsoutofbed，andrunsoutoftheroomtoobtainacandle；Iriseatonce，Ifollowhimtoshutthedoor，butIslamitrathertoohard，thedoublespringofthelockgivesway，andthedoorcannotbereopenedwithoutthekey。

Iapproachtheladiesinordertocalmtheiranxiety，tellingthemthattheadvocatewouldsoonreturnwithalight，andthatweshouldthenknowthecauseofthetumult，butIamnotlosingmytime，andamatworkwhileIamspeaking。Imeetwithverylittleopposition，but，leaningrathertooheavilyuponmyfairlady，Ibreakthroughthebottomofthebedstead，andwesuddenlyfindourselves，thetwoladiesandmyself，alltogetherinaheaponthefloor。Theadvocatecomesbackandknocksatthedoor；thesistergetsup，Iobeytheprayersofmycharmingfriend，and，feelingmyway，reachthedoor，andtelltheadvocatethatIcannotopenit，andthathemustgetthekey。Thetwosistersarebehindme。Iextendmyhand；butIamabruptlyrepulsed，andjudgethatIhaveaddressedmyselftothewrongquarter；Igototheotherside，andthereIambetterreceived。Butthehusbandreturns，thenoiseofthekeyinthelockannouncesthatthedoorisgoingtobeopened，andwereturntoourrespectivebeds。

Theadvocatehurriestothebedofthetwofrightenedladies，thinkingofrelievingtheiranxiety，but，whenheseesthemburiedintheirbroken—downbedstead，heburstsintoaloudlaugh。Hetellsmetocomeandhavealookatthem，butIamverymodest，anddeclinetheinvitation。HethentellsusthatthealarmhasbeencausedbyaGermandetachmentattackingsuddenlytheSpanishtroopsinthecity，andthattheSpaniardsarerunningaway。Inaquarterofanhourthenoisehasceased，andquietisentirelyre—established。

Theadvocatecomplimentedmeuponmycoolness，gotintobedagain，andwassoonasleep。Asforme，Iwascarefulnottoclosemyeyes，andassoonasIsawdaylightIgotupinordertoperformcertainablutionsandtochangemyshirt；itwasanabsolutenecessity。

Ireturnedforbreakfast，andwhileweweredrinkingthedeliciouscoffeewhichDonnaLucreziahadmade，asIthought，betterthanever，Iremarkedthathersisterfrownedonme。ButhowlittleIcaredforherangerwhenIsawthecheerful，happycountenance，andtheapprovinglooksofmyadoredLucrezia！Ifeltadelightfulsensationrunthroughthewholeofmybody。

WereachedRomeveryearly。WehadtakenbreakfastattheTour，andtheadvocatebeinginaverygaymoodIassumedthesametone，loadinghimwithcompliments，andpredictingthatasonwouldbeborntohim，Icompelledhiswifetopromiseitshouldbeso。IdidnotforgetthesisterofmycharmingLucrezia，andtomakeherchangeherhostileattitudetowardsmeIaddressedtohersomanyprettycompliments，andbehavedinsuchafriendlymanner，thatshewascompelledtoforgivethefallofthebed。AsItookleaveofthem，I

promisedtogivethemacallonthefollowingday。

IwasinRome！withagoodwardrobe，prettywellsuppliedwithmoneyandjewellery，notwantinginexperience，andwithexcellentlettersofintroduction。Iwasfree，myownmaster，andjustreachingtheageinwhichamancanhavefaithinhisownfortune，providedheisnotdeficientincourage，andisblessedwithafacelikelytoattractthesympathyofthosehemixeswith。Iwasnothandsome，butIhadsomethingbetterthanbeauty——astrikingexpressionwhichalmostcompelledakindinterestinmyfavour，andIfeltmyselfreadyforanything。IknewthatRomeistheonecityinwhichamancanbeginfromthelowestrung，andreachtheverytopofthesocialladder。Thisknowledgeincreasedmycourage，andImustconfessthatamostinveteratefeelingofself—esteemwhich，onaccountofmyinexperience，Icouldnotdistrust，enhancedwonderfullymyconfidenceinmyself。

Themanwhointendstomakehisfortuneinthisancientcapitaloftheworldmustbeachameleonsusceptibleofreflectingallthecoloursoftheatmospherethatsurroundshim——aProteusapttoassumeeveryform，everyshape。Hemustbesupple，flexible，insinuating；

close，inscrutable，oftenbase，sometimessincere，sometimesperfidious，alwaysconcealingapartofhisknowledge，indulginginonetoneofvoice，patient，aperfectmasterofhisowncountenance。

ascoldasicewhenanyothermanwouldbeallfire；andifunfortunatelyheisnotreligiousatheart——averycommonoccurrenceforasoulpossessingtheaboverequisites——hemusthavereligioninhismind，thatistosay，onhisface，onhislips，inhismanners；

hemustsufferquietly，ifhebeanhonestmanthenecessityofknowinghimselfanarranthypocrite。ThemanwhosesoulwouldloathesuchalifeshouldleaveRomeandseekhisfortuneelsewhere。IdonotknowwhetherIampraisingorexcusingmyself，butofallthosequalitiesIpossessedbutone——namely，flexibility；fortherest，I

wasonlyaninteresting，heedlessyoungfellow，aprettygoodbloodhorse，butnotbroken，orratherbadlybroken；andthatismuchworse。

IbeganbydeliveringtheletterIhadreceivedfromDonLelioforFatherGeorgi。ThelearnedmonkenjoyedtheesteemofeveryoneinRome，andthePopehimselfhadagreatconsiderationforhim，becausehedislikedtheJesuits，anddidnotputamaskontotearthemaskfromtheirfaces，althoughtheydeemedthemselvespowerfulenoughtodespisehim。

Hereadtheletterwithgreatattention，andexpressedhimselfdisposedtobemyadviser；andthatconsequentlyImightmakehimresponsibleforanyevilwhichmightbefallme，asmisfortuneisnottobefearedbyamanwhoactsrightly。HeaskedmewhatIintendedtodoinRome，andIansweredthatIwishedhimtotellmewhattodo。

"PerhapsImay；butinthatcaseyoumustcomeandseemeoften，andneverconcealfrommeanything，youunderstand，notanything，ofwhatinterestsyou，orofwhathappenstoyou。"

"DonLeliohaslikewisegivenmealetterfortheCardinalAcquaviva。"

"Icongratulateyou；thecardinal’sinfluenceinRomeisgreatereventhanthatofthePope。"

"MustIdelivertheletteratonce？"

"No；Iwillseehimthisevening，andpreparehimforyourvisit。

Callonmeto—morrowmorning，andIwillthentellyouwhereandwhenyouaretodeliveryourlettertothecardinal。Haveyouanymoney？"

"Enoughforallmywantsduringoneyear。"

"Thatiswell。Haveyouanyacquaintances？"

"Notone。"

"Donotmakeanywithoutfirstconsultingme，and，aboveall，avoidcoffee—housesandordinaries，butifyoushouldhappentofrequentsuchplaces，listenandneverspeak。Becarefultoformyourjudgmentuponthosewhoaskanyquestionsfromyou，andifcommoncivilityobligesyoutogiveananswer，giveonlyanevasiveone，ifanyotherislikelytocommityou。DoyouspeakFrench？"

"Notoneword。"

"Iamsorryforthat；youmustlearnFrench。Haveyoubeenastudent？"

"Apoorone，butIhaveasufficientsmatteringtoconversewithordinarycompany。"

"Thatisenough；butbeveryprudent，forRomeisthecityinwhichsmatterersunmaskeachother，andarealwaysatwaramongstthemselves。Ihopeyouwilltakeyourlettertothecardinal，dressedlikeamodestabbe，andnotinthiselegantcostumewhichisnotlikelytoconjurefortune。Adieu，letmeseeyouto—morrow。"

HighlypleasedwiththewelcomeIhadreceivedathishands，andwithallhehadsaidtome，IlefthishouseandproceededtowardsCampo—

di—FioretodelivertheletterofmycousinAntoniotoDonGasparVivaldi，whoreceivedmeinhislibrary，whereImettworespectable—

lookingpriests。Hegavemethemostfriendlywelcome，askedformyaddress，andinvitedmetodinnerforthenextday。HepraisedFatherGeorgimosthighly，and，accompanyingmeasfarasthestairs，hetoldmethathewouldgivemeonthemorrowtheamounthisfriendDonAntoniorequestedhimtohandme。

Moremoneywhichmygenerouscousinwasbestowingonme！Itiseasyenoughtogiveawaywhenonepossessessufficientmeanstodoit，butitisnoteverymanwhoknowshowtogive。IfoundtheproceedingofDonAntoniomoredelicateeventhangenerous；Icouldnotrefusehispresent；itwasmydutytoprovemygratitudebyacceptingit。

JustafterIhadleftM。Vivaldi’shouseIfoundmyselffacetofacewithStephano，andthisextraordinaryoriginalloadedmewithfriendlycaresses。Iinwardlydespisedhim，yetIcouldnotfeelhatredforhim；IlookeduponhimastheinstrumentwhichProvidencehadbeenpleasedtoemployinordertosavemefromruin。AftertellingmethathehadobtainedfromthePopeallhewished，headvisedmetoavoidmeetingthefatalconstablewhohadadvancedmetwosequinsinSeraval，becausehehadfoundoutthatIhaddeceivedhim，andhadswornrevengeagainstme。IaskedStephanotoinducethemantoleavemyacknowledgementofthedebtinthehandsofacertainmerchantwhomwebothknew，andthatIwouldcalltheretodischargetheamount。Thiswasdone，anditendedtheaffair。

ThateveningIdinedattheordinary，whichwasfrequentedbyRomansandforeigners；butIcarefullyfollowedtheadviceofFatherGeorgi。

IheardagreatdealofharshlanguageusedagainstthePopeandagainsttheCardinalMinister，whohadcausedthePapalStatestobeinundatedbyeightythousandmen，GermansaswellasSpaniards。ButIwasmuchsurprisedwhenIsawthateverybodywaseatingmeat，althoughitwasSaturday。ButastrangerduringthefirstfewdaysafterhisarrivalinRomeissurroundedwithmanythingswhichatfirstcausesurprise，andtowhichhesoongetsaccustomed。ThereisnotaCatholiccityintheworldinwhichamanishalfsofreeonreligiousmattersasinRome。TheinhabitantsofRomearelikethemenemployedattheGovernmenttobaccoworks，whoareallowedtotakegratisasmuchtobaccoastheywantfortheirownuse。OnecanliveinRomewiththemostcompletefreedom，exceptthatthe’ordinisantissimi’areasmuchtobedreadedasthefamousLettres—de—cachetbeforetheRevolutioncameanddestroyedthem，andshewedthewholeworldthegeneralcharacteroftheFrenchnation。

Thenextday，the1stofOctober，1743，Imadeupmymindtobeshaved。Thedownonmychinhadbecomeabeard，andIjudgedthatitwastimetorenouncesomeoftheprivilegesenjoyedbyadolescence。

IdressedmyselfcompletelyintheRomanfashion，andFatherGeorgiwashighlypleasedwhenhesawmeinthatcostume，whichhadbeenmadebythetailorofmydearcousin，DonAntonio。

FatherGeorgiinvitedmetotakeacupofchocolatewithhim，andinformedmethatthecardinalhadbeenapprisedofmyarrivalbyaletterfromDonLelio，andthathiseminencewouldreceivemeatnoonattheVillaNegroni，wherehewouldbetakingawalk。ItoldFatherGeorgithatIhadbeeninvitedtodinnerbyM。Vivaldi，andheadvisedmetocultivatehisacquaintance。

IproceededtotheVillaNegroni；themomenthesawmethecardinalstoppedtoreceivemyletter，allowingtwopersonswhoaccompaniedhimtowalkforward。Heputtheletterinhispocketwithoutreadingit，examinedmeforoneortwominutes，andenquiredwhetherIfeltanytasteforpolitics。Iansweredthat，untilnow，Ihadnotfeltinmeanybutfrivoloustastes，butthatIwouldmakeboldtoanswerformyreadinesstoexecutealltheorderswhichhiseminencemightbepleasedtolayuponme，ifheshouldjudgemeworthyofenteringhisservice。

"Cometomyofficeto—morrowmorning，"saidthecardinal，"andaskfortheAbbeGama，towhomIwillgivemyinstructions。YoumustapplyyourselfdiligentlytothestudyoftheFrenchlanguage；itisindispensable。"HethenenquiredafterDonLeilo’shealth，andafterkissinghishandItookmyleave。

IhastenedtothehouseofM。GasparVivaldi，whereIdinedamongstawell—chosenpartyofguests。M。Vivaldiwasnotmarried；literaturewashisonlypassion。HelovedLatinpoetryevenbetterthanItalian，andHorace，whomIknewbyheart，washisfavouritepoet。

Afterdinner，werepairedtohisstudy，andhehandedmeonehundredRomancrowns，andDonAntonio’spresent，andassuredmethatIwouldbemostwelcomewheneverIwouldcalltotakeacupofchocolatewithhim。

AfterIhadtakenleaveofDonGaspar，IproceededtowardstheMinerva，forIlongedtoenjoythesurpriseofmydearLucreziaandofhersister；IinquiredforDonnaCeciliaMonti，theirmother，andIsaw，tomygreatastonishment，ayoungwidowwholookedlikethesisterofhertwocharmingdaughters。Therewasnoneedformetogivehermyname；Ihadbeenannounced，andsheexpectedme。Herdaughterssooncamein，andtheirgreetingcausedmesomeamusement，forIdidnotappeartothemtobethesameindividual。DonnaLucreziapresentedmetoheryoungestsister，onlyelevenyearsofage，andtoherbrother，anabbeoffifteen，ofcharmingappearance。

Itookcaretobehavesoastopleasethemother；Iwasmodest，respectful，andshewedadeepinterestineverythingIsaw。Thegoodadvocatearrived，andwassurprisedatthechangeinmyappearance。

Helaunchedoutinhisusualjokes，andIfollowedhimonthatground，yetIwascarefulnottogivetomyconversationthetoneoflevitywhichusedtocausesomuchmirthinourtravellingcoach；sothat，to，paymeacompliment，hetoldneethat，ifIhadhadthesignofmanhoodshavedfrommyface，Ihadcertainlytransferredittomymind。DonnaLucreziadidnotknowwhattothinkofthechangeinmymanners。

TowardseveningIsaw，cominginrapidsuccession，fiveorsixordinary—lookingladies，andasmanyabbes，whoappearedtomesomeofthevolumeswithwhichIwastobeginmyRomaneducation。TheyalllistenedattentivelytothemostinsignificantwordIuttered，andIwasverycarefultoletthemenjoytheirconjecturesaboutme。

DonnaCeciliatoldtheadvocatethathewasbutapoorpainter，andthathisportraitswerenotliketheoriginals；heansweredthatshecouldnotjudge，becausetheoriginalwasshewingunderamask，andI

pretendedtobemortifiedbyhisanswer。DonnaLucreziasaidthatshefoundmeexactlythesame，andhersisterwasofopinionthattheairofRomegavestrangersapeculiarappearance。Everybodyapplauded，andAngeliqueturnedredwithsatisfaction。AfteravisitoffourhoursIbowedmyselfout，andtheadvocate，followingme，toldmethathismother—in—lawbeggedmetoconsidermyselfasafriendofthefamily，andtobecertainofawelcomeatanyhourI

likedtocall。Ithankedhimgratefullyandtookmyleave，trustingthatIhadpleasedthisamiablesocietyasmuchasithadpleasedme。

ThenextdayIpresentedmyselftotheAbbeGama。HewasaPortuguese，aboutfortyyearsold，handsome，andwithacountenancefullofcandour，wit，andgoodtemper。Hisaffabilityclaimedandobtainedconfidence。HismannersandaccentwerequiteRoman。Heinformedme，intheblandestmanner，thathiseminencehadhimselfgivenhisinstructionsaboutmetohismajordomo，thatIwouldhavealodginginthecardinal’spalace，thatIwouldhavemymealsatthesecretaries’table，andthat，untilIlearnedFrench，Iwouldhavenothingtodobutmakeextractsfromlettersthathewouldsupplymewith。HethengavemetheaddressoftheFrenchteachertowhomhehadalreadyspokeninmybehalf。HewasaRomanadvocate，Dalacquabyname，residingpreciselyoppositethepalace。

Afterthisshortexplanation，andanassurancethatIcouldatalltimesrelyuponhisfriendship，hehadmetakentothemajor—domo，whomademesignmynameatthebottomofapageinalargebook，alreadyfilledwithothernames，andcountedoutsixtyRomancrownswhichhepaidmeforthreemonthssalaryinadvance。Afterthisheaccompaniedme，followedbya’staffiere’tomyapartmentonthethirdfloor，whichIfoundverycomfortablyfurnished。Theservanthandedmethekey，sayingthathewouldcomeeverymorningtoattenduponme，andthemajor—domoaccompaniedmetothegatetomakemeknowntothegate—keeper。Iimmediatelyrepairedtomyinn，sentmyluggagetothepalace，andfoundmyselfestablishedinaplaceinwhichagreatfortuneawaitedme，ifIhadonlybeenabletoleadawiseandprudentlife，butunfortunatelyitwasnotinmynature。

’Volentemducit，nolentemtrahit。’

Inaturallyfeltitmydutytocalluponmymentor，FatherGeorgi，towhomIgaveallmygoodnews。HesaidIwasontherightroad，andthatmyfortunewasinmyhands。

"Recollect，"addedthegoodfather，"thattoleadablamelesslifeyoumustcurbyourpassions，andthatwhatevermisfortunemaybefallyouitcannotbeascribedbyanyonetoawantofgoodluck，orattributedtofate；thosewordsaredevoidofsense，andallthefaultwillrightlyfallonyourownhead。"

"Iforesee，reverendfather，thatmyyouthandmywantofexperiencewilloftenmakeitnecessaryformetodisturbyou。Iamafraidofprovingmyselftooheavyachargeforyou，butyouwillfindmedocileandobedient。"

"Isupposeyouwilloftenthinkmerathertoosevere；butyouarenotlikelytoconfideeverythingtome。"

"Everything，withoutanyexception。"

"Allowmetofeelsomewhatdoubtful；youhavenottoldmewhereyouspentfourhoursyesterday。"

"BecauseIdidnotthinkitwasworthmentioning。Imadetheacquaintanceofthosepersonsduringmyjourney；Ibelievethemtobeworthyandrespectable，andtherightsortofpeopleformetovisit，unlessyoushouldbeofadifferentopinion。"

"Godforbid！Itisaveryrespectablehouse，frequentedbyhonestpeople。Theyaredelightedathavingmadeyouracquaintance；youaremuchlikedbyeverybody，andtheyhopetoretainyouasafriend；I

haveheardallaboutitthismorning；butyoumustnotgotheretoooftenandasaregularguest。"

"MustIceasemyvisitsatonce，andwithoutcause？"

"No，itwouldbeawantofpolitenessonyourpart。Youmaygothereonceortwiceeveryweek，butdonotbeaconstantvisitor。Youaresighing，myson？"

"No，Iassureyounot。Iwillobeyyou。"

"Ihopeitmaynotbeonlyamatterofobedience，andItrustyourheartwillnotfeelitahardship，but，ifnecessary，yourheartmustbeconquered。Recollectthattheheartisthegreatestenemyofreason。"

"Yettheycanbemadetoagree。"

"Weoftenimagineso；butdistrusttheanimismofyourdearHorace。

Youknowthatthereisnomiddlecoursewithit:’nisiparet，imperat’。"

"Iknowit，butinthefamilyofwhichwewerespeakingthereisnodangerformyheart。"

"Iamgladofit，becauseinthatcaseitwillbealltheeasierforyoutoabstainfromfrequentvisits。RememberthatIshalltrustyou。"

"AndI，reverendfather；willlistentoandfollowyourgoodadvice。