IfoundoutthatIcouldnotobtainapassport,forthesimplereasonthattheauthoritiesofthecitypersistedthatitwasnotnecessary;
butIknewbetter,anditwasnotformetotellthemwhy。I
resolvedtowritetotheFrenchofficerwhohadtreatedmesowellattheguardhouse。IbeggedhimtoenquireatthewarofficewhethermypassporthadarrivedfromRome,and,ifso,toforwardittome。I
alsoaskedhimtofindouttheownerofthehorsewhohadrunawaywithme,offeringtopayforit。ImadeupmymindtowaitforThereseinBologna,andIinformedherofmydecision,entreatinghertowriteveryoften。ThereaderwillsoonknowthenewresolutionI
tookontheverysameday。
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
VENETIANYEARS,Volume1c——MILITARYCAREER
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
MILITARYCAREER
CHAPTERXIII
IRenouncetheClericalProfession,andEntertheMilitaryService——
ThereseLeavesforNaples,andIGotoVenice——IAmAppointedEnsignintheArmyofMyNativeCountry——IEmbarkforCorfu,andLandatOrseratoTakeaWalkIhadbeencareful,onmyarrivalinBologna,totakeupmyquartersatasmallinn,soasnottoattractanynotice,andassoonasIhaddispatchedmyletterstoThereseandtheFrenchofficer,Ithoughtofpurchasingsomelinen,asitwasatleastdoubtfulwhetherIshouldevergetmytrunk。Ideemeditexpedienttoordersomeclotheslikewise。Iwasthusruminating,whenitsuddenlystruckmethatI
wasnotlikelynowtosucceedintheChurch,butfeelinggreatuncertaintyastotheprofessionIoughttoadopt,Itookafancytotransformmyselfintoanofficer,asitwasevidentthatIhadnottoaccounttoanyoneformyactions。Itwasaverynaturalfancyatmyage,forIhadjustpassedthroughtwoarmiesinwhichIhadseennorespectpaidtoanygarbbuttothemilitaryuniform,andIdidnotseewhyIshouldnotcausemyselftoberespectedlikewise。Besides,IwasthinkingofreturningtoVenice,andfeltgreatdelightattheideaofshewingmyselfthereinthegarbofhonour,forIhadbeenratherill—treatedinthatofreligion。
Ienquiredforagoodtailor:deathwasbroughttome,forthetailorsenttomewasnamedMorte。IexplainedtohimhowIwantedmyuniformmade,Ichosethecloth,hetookmymeasure,andthenextdayIwastransformedintoafollowerofMars。Iprocuredalongsword,andwithmyfinecaneinhand,withawell—brushedhatornamentedwithablackcockade,andwearingalongfalsepigtail,Isalliedforthandwalkedalloverthecity。
IbethoughtmyselfthattheimportanceofmynewcallingrequiredabetterandmoreshowylodgingthantheoneIhadsecuredonmyarrival,andImovedtothebestinn。IlikeevennowtorecollectthepleasingimpressionIfeltwhenIwasabletoadmiremyselffulllengthinalargemirror。Iwashighlypleasedwithmyownperson!
Ithoughtmyselfmadebynaturetowearandtohonourthemilitarycostume,whichIhadadoptedthroughthemostfortunateimpulse。
Certainthatnobodyknewme,Ienjoyedbyanticipationalltheconjectureswhichpeoplewouldindulgeinrespectingme,whenImademyfirstappearanceinthemostfashionablecaf?ofthetown。
Myuniformwaswhite,thevestblue,agoldandsilvershoulder—knot,andasword—knotofthesamematerial。Verywellpleasedwithmygrandappearance,Iwenttothecoffee—room,and,takingsomechocolate,begantoreadthenewspapers,quiteatmyease,anddelightedtoseethateverybodywaspuzzled。Aboldindividual,inthehopeofgettingmeintoconversation,cametomeandaddressedme;Iansweredhimwithamonosyllable,andIobservedthateveryonewasatalosswhattomakeofme。WhenIhadsufficientlyenjoyedpublicadmirationinthecoffee—room,Ipromenadedinthebusiestthoroughfaresofthecity,andreturnedtotheinn,whereIhaddinnerbymyself。
Ihadjustconcludedmyrepastwhenmylandlordpresentedhimselfwiththetravellers’book,inwhichhewantedtoregistermyname。
\"Casanova。\"
\"Yourprofession,ifyouplease,sir?\"
\"Officer。\"
\"Inwhichservice?\"
\"None。\"
\"Yournativeplace?\"
\"Venice。\"
\"Wheredoyoucomefrom?\"
\"Thatisnobusinessofyours。\"
Thisanswer,whichIthoughtwasinkeepingwithmyexternalappearance,hadthedesiredeffect:thelandlordbowedhimselfout,andIfelthighlypleasedwithmyself,forIknewthatIshouldenjoyperfectfreedominBologna,andIwascertainthatminehosthadvisitedmeattheinstanceofsomecuriouspersoneagertoknowwhoI
was。
ThenextdayIcalledonM。Orsi,thebanker,tocashmybillofexchange,andtookanotherforsixhundredsequinsonVenice,andonehundredsequinsingoldafterwhichIagainexhibitedmyselfinthepublicplaces。Twodaysafterwards,whilstIwastakingmycoffeeafterdinner,thebankerOrsiwasannounced。Idesiredhimtobeshewnin,andhemadehisappearanceaccompaniedmyMonsignorCornaro,whomIfeignednottoknow。M。Orsiremarkedthathehadcalledtooffermehisservicesformylettersofexchange,andintroducedtheprelate。Iroseandexpressedmygratificationatmakinghisacquaintance。\"Butwehavemetbefore,\"hereplied,\"atVeniceandRome。\"Assuminganairofblanksurprise,Itoldhimhemustcertainlybemistaken。Theprelate,thinkinghecouldguessthereasonofmyreserve,didnotinsist,andapologized。Iofferedhimacupofcoffee,whichheaccepted,and,onleavingme,hebeggedthehonourofmycompanytobreakfastthenextday。
Imadeupmymindtopersistinmydenials,andcalledupontheprelate,whogavemeapolitewelcome。HewasthenapostolicprothonotaryinBologna。Breakfastwasserved,andasweweresippingourchocolate,hetoldmethatIhadmostlikelysomegoodreasonstowarrantmyreserve,butthatIwaswrongnottotrusthim,themoresothattheaffairinquestiondidmegreathonour。\"Idonotknow,\"saidI,\"whataffairyouarealludingto。\"Hethenhandedmeanewspaper,tellingmetoreadaparagraphwhichhepointedout。
MyastonishmentmaybeimaginedwhenIreadthefollowingcorrespondencefromPesaro:\"M。deCasanova,anofficerintheserviceofthequeen,hasdesertedafterhavingkilledhiscaptaininaduel;thecircumstancesoftheduelarenotknown;allthathasbeenascertainedisthatM。deCasanovahastakentheroadtoRimini,ridingthehorsebelongingtothecaptain,whowaskilledonthespot。\"
Inspiteofmysurprise,andofthedifficultyIhadinkeepingmygravityatthereadingoftheparagraph,inwhichsomuchuntruthwasblendedwithsolittlethatwasreal,Imanagedtokeepaseriouscountenance,andItoldtheprelatethattheCasanovaspokenofinthenewspapermustbeanotherman。
\"Thatmaybe,butyouarecertainlytheCasanovaIknewamonthagoatCardinalAcquaviva’s,andtwoyearsagoatthehouseofmysister,MadameLovedan,inVenice。BesidestheAnconabankerspeaksofyouasanecclesiasticinhisletterofadvicetoM。Orsi:\"
\"Verywell,monsignor;yourexcellencycompelsmetoagreetomybeingthesameCasanova,butIentreatyounottoaskmeanymorequestionsasIamboundinhonourtoobservethestrictestreserve。\"
\"Thatisenoughforme,andIamsatisfied。Letustalkofsomethingelse。\"
Iwasamusedatthefalsereportswhichwerebeingcirculatedaboutme,and,Ibecamefromthatmomentathoroughscepticonthesubjectofhistoricaltruth。Ienjoyed,however,verygreatpleasureinthinkingthatmyreservehadfedthebeliefofmybeingtheCasanovamentionedinthenewspaper。IfeltcertainthattheprelatewouldwritethewholeaffairtoVenice,whereitwoulddomegreathonour,atleastuntilthetruthshouldbeknown,andinthatcasemyreservewouldbejustified,besides,Ishouldthenmostlikelybefaraway。
ImadeupmymindtogotoVeniceassoonasIheardfromTherese,asIthoughtthatIcouldwaitforhertheremorecomfortablythaninBologna,andinmynativeplacetherewasnothingtohindermefrommarryingheropenly。InthemeantimethefablefromPesaroamusedmeagooddeal,andIexpectedeverydaytoseeitdeniedinsomenewspaper。TherealofficerCasanovamusthavelaughedattheaccusationbroughtagainsthimofhavingrunawaywiththehorse,asmuchasIlaughedatthecapricewhichhadmetamorphosedmeintoanofficerinBologna,justasifIhaddoneitfortheverypurposeofgivingtotheaffaireveryappearanceoftruth。
OnthefourthdayofmystayinBologna,IreceivedbyexpressalongletterfromTherese。Sheinformedmethat,onthedayaftermyescapefromRimini,BaronVaishadpresentedtohertheDukedeCastropignano,who,havingheardhersing,hadofferedheronethousandouncesayear,andalltravellingexpensespaid,ifshewouldacceptanengagementasprima—donnaattheSanCarloTheatre,atNaples,whereshewouldhavetogoimmediatelyafterherRiminiengagement。Shehadrequestedandobtainedaweektocometoadecision。Sheenclosedtwodocuments,thefirstwasthewrittenmemorandumoftheduke’sproposals,whichshesentinorderthatI
shouldperuseit,asshedidnotwishtosignitwithoutmyconsent;
thesecondwasaformalengagement,writtenbyherself,toremainallherlifedevotedtomeandatmyservice。Sheaddedinherletterthat,ifIwishedtoaccompanyhertoNaples,shewouldmeetmeanywhereImightappoint,butthat,ifIhadanyobjectiontoreturntothatcity,shewouldimmediatelyrefusethebrilliantoffer,forheronlyhappinesswastopleasemeinallthings。
ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIfoundmyselfinneedofthoughtfulconsiderationbeforeIcouldmakeupmymind。Therese’sletterhadentirelyupsetallmyideas,and,feelingthatIcouldnotansweritaonce,Itoldthemessengertocallthenextday。
Twomotivesofequalweightkeptthebalancewavering;self—loveandloveforTherese。IfeltthatIoughtnottorequireTheresetogiveupsuchprospectsoffortune;butIcouldnottakeuponmyselfeithertolethergotoNapleswithoutme,ortoaccompanyherthere。Ononeside,IshudderedattheideathatmylovemightruinTherese’sprospects;ontheotherside,theideaoftheblowinflictedonmyself—love,onmypride,ifIwenttoNapleswithher,sickenedme。
HowcouldImakeupmymindtoreappearinthatcity,intheguiseofacowardlyfellowlivingattheexpenseofhismistressorhiswife?
WhatwouldmycousinAntonio,DonPoloandhisdearson,DonLelioCaraffa,andallthepatricianswhoknewme,havesaid?ThethoughtofLucreziaandofherhusbandsentacoldshiverthroughme。I
consideredthat,inspiteofmyloveforTherese,Ishouldbecomeverymiserableifeveryonedespisedme。Linkedtoherdestinyasaloverorasahusband,Iwouldbeadegraded,humbled,andmeansycophant。Thencamethethought,Isthistobetheendofallmyhopes?Thediewascast,myheadhadconqueredmyheart。IfanciedthatIhadhituponanexcellentexpedient,whichatalleventsmademegaintime,andIresolvedtoactuponit。IwrotetoTherese,advisinghertoaccepttheengagementforNaples,whereshemightexpectmetojoinherinthemonthofJuly,oraftermyreturnfromConstantinople。Icautionedhertoengageanhonest—lookingwaiting—
woman,soastoappearrespectablyintheworld,and,toleadsuchalifeaswouldpermitmetomakehermywife,onmyreturn,withoutbeingashamedofmyself。Iforesawthathersuccesswouldbeinsuredbyherbeautyevenmorethanbyhertalent,and,withmynature,I
knewthatIcouldneverassumethecharacterofaneasy—goingloverorofacomplianthusband。
HadIreceivedTherese’sletteroneweeksooner,itiscertainthatshewouldnothavegonetoNaples,formylovewouldthenhaveprovedstrongerthanmyreason;butinmattersoflove,aswellasinallothers,Timeisagreatteacher。
ItoldTheresetodirectheranswertoBologna,and,threedaysafter,Ireceivedfromheraletterloving,andatthesametimesad,inwhichsheinformedmethatshehadsignedtheengagement。Shehadsecuredtheservicesofawomanwhomshecouldpresentashermother;
shewouldreachNaplestowardsthemiddleofMay,andshewouldwaitformetheretillsheheardfrommethatInolongerwantedher。
Fourdaysafterthereceiptofthatletter,thelastbutonethatTheresewroteme,IleftBolognaforVenice。BeforemydepartureI
hadreceivedananswerformtheFrenchofficer,advisingmethatmypassporthadreachedPesaro,andthathewasreadytoforwardittomewithmytrunk,ifIwouldpayM。MarcelloBirna,theproveditoreoftheSpanisharmy,whoseaddressheenclosed,thesumoffiftydoubloonsforthehorsewhichIhadrunawaywith,orwhichhadrunawaywithme。Irepairedatoncetothehouseoftheproveditore,wellpleasedtosettlethataffair,andIreceivedmytrunkandmypassportafewhoursbeforeleavingBologna。Butasmypayingforthehorsewasknownalloverthetown,MonsignorCornarowasconfirmedinhisbeliefthatIhadkilledmycaptaininaduel。
TogotoVenice,itwasnecessarytosubmittoaquarantine,whichhadbeenadheredtoonlybecausethetwogovernmentshadfallenout。
TheVenetianswantedthePopetobethefirstingivingfreepassagethroughhisfrontiers,andthePopeinsistedthattheVenetiansshouldtaketheinitiative。Theresultofthistriflingpiquebetweenthetwogovernmentswasgreathindrancetocommerce,butveryoftenthatwhichbearsonlyupontheprivateinterestofthepeopleislightlytreatedbytherulers。Ididnotwishtobequarantined,anddeterminedonevadingit。Itwasratheradelicateundertaking,forinVenicethesanitarylawsareverystrict,butinthosedaysI
delightedindoing,ifnoteverythingthatwasforbidden,atleasteverythingwhichofferedrealdifficulties。
IknewthatbetweenthestateofMantuaandthatofVenicethepassagewasfree,andIknewlikewisethattherewasnorestrictioninthecommunicationbetweenMantuaandModena;ifIcouldthereforepenetrateintothestateofMantuabystatingthatIwascomingfromModena,mysuccesswouldbecertain,becauseIcouldthencrossthePoandgostraighttoVenice。IgotacarriertodrivemetoRevero,acitysituatedontheriverPo,andbelongingtothestateofMantua。
Thedrivertoldmethat,ifhetookthecrossroads,hecouldgotoRevero,andsaythatwecamefromMantua,andthattheonlydifficultywouldbeintheabsenceofthesanitarycertificatewhichisdeliveredinMantua,andwhichwascertaintobeaskedforinRevero。Isuggestedthatthebestwaytomanagewouldbeforhimtosaythathehadlostit,andalittlemoneyremovedeveryobjectiononhispart。
WhenwereachedthegatesofRevero,IrepresentedmyselfasaSpanishofficergoingtoVenicetomeettheDukeofModena(whomI
knewtobethere)onbusinessofthegreatestimportance。Thesanitarycertificatewasnotevendemanded,militaryhonoursweredulypaidtome,andIwasmostcivillytreated。Acertificatewasimmediatelydeliveredtome,settingforththatIwastravellingfromRevero,andwithitIcrossedthePo,withoutanydifficulty,atOstiglia,fromwhichplaceIproceededtoLegnago。ThereIleftmycarrierasmuchpleasedwithmygenerosityaswiththegoodluckwhichhadattendedourjourney,and,takingpost—horses,IreachedVeniceintheevening。IremarkedthatitwastheandofApril,1744,theanniversaryofmybirth,which,tentimesduringmylife,hasbeenmarkedbysomeimportantevent。
TheverynextmorningIwenttotheexchangeinordertoprocureapassagetoConstantinople,butIcouldnotfindanypassengershipsailingbeforetwoorthreemonths,andIengagedaberthinaVenetianshipcalled,OurLadyoftheRosary,CommanderZane,whichwastosailforCorfuinthecourseofthemonth。
Havingthuspreparedmyselftoobeymydestiny,which,accordingtomysuperstitiousfeelings,calledmeimperiouslytoConstantinople,I
wenttoSt:Mark’sSquareinordertoseeandtobeseen,enjoyingbyanticipationthesurpriseofmyacquaintancesatnotfindingmeanylongeranabbe。ImustnotforgettostatethatatReveroIhaddecoratedmyhatwitharedcockade。
Ithoughtthatmyfirstvisitwas,byright,duetotheAbbeGrimani。
Themomenthesawmeheraisedaperfectshriekofastonishment,forhethoughtIwasstillwithCardinalAcquaviva,ontheroadtoapoliticalcareer,andhesawstandingbeforehimasonofMars。Hehadjustleftthedinner—tableasIentered,andhehadcompany。I
observedamongsttheguestsanofficerwearingtheSpanishuniform,butIwasnotputoutofcountenance。ItoldtheAbbeGrimanithatI
wasonlypassingthroughVenice,andthatIhadfeltitadutyandapleasuretopaymyrespectstohim。
\"Ididnotexpecttoseeyouinsuchacostume。\"
\"Ihaveresolvedtothrowoffthegarbwhichcouldnotprocuremeafortunelikelytosatisfymyambition。\"
\"Whereareyougoing?\"
\"ToConstantinople;andIhopetofindaquickpassagetoCorfu,asI
havedispatchesfromCardinalAcquaviva。\"
\"Wheredoyoucomefromnow?\"
\"FromtheSpanisharmy,whichIlefttendaysago。\"
Thesewordswerehardlyspoken,whenIheardthevoiceofayoungnoblemanexclaiming;
\"Thatisnottrue。\"
\"TheprofessiontowhichIbelong,\"Isaidtohimwithgreatanimation,\"doesnotpermitmetoletanyonegivemethelie。\"
Anduponthat,bowingallround,Iwentaway,withouttakinganynoticeofthosewhowerecallingmeback。
Iworeanuniform;itseemedtomethatIwasrightinshowingthatsensitiveandhaughtypridewhichformsoneofthecharacteristicsofmilitarymen。Iwasnolongerapriest:Icouldnotbearbeinggiventhelie,especiallywhenithadbeengiventomeinsopublicamanner。
IcalleduponMadameManzoni,whomIwaslongingtosee。Shewasveryhappytoseeme,anddidnotfailtoremindmeofherprediction。Itoldhermyhistory,whichamusedhermuch;butshesaidthatifIwenttoConstantinopleIshouldmostlikelyneverseeheragain。
AftermyvisittoMadameManzoniIwenttothehouseofMadameOrio,whereIfoundworthyM。Rosa,Nanette,andMarton。Theywereallgreatlysurprised,indeedpetrifiedatseeingme。Thetwolovelysisterslookedmorebeautifulthanever,butIdidnotthinkitnecessarytotellthemthehistoryofmyninemonthsabsence,foritwouldnothaveedifiedtheauntorpleasedthenieces。IsatisfiedmyselfwithtellingthemasmuchasIthoughtfit,andamusedthemforthreehours。Seeingthatthegoodoldladywascarriedawaybyherenthusiasm,ItoldherthatIshouldbeveryhappytopassunderherroofthefourorfiveweeksofmystayinVenice,ifshecouldgivemearoomandsupper,butonconditionthatIshouldnotproveaburdentoherortohercharmingnieces。
\"Ishouldbeonlytoohappy,\"sheanswered,\"tohaveyousolong,butIhavenoroomtoofferyou。\"
\"Yes,youhaveone,mydear,\"exclaimedM。Rosa,\"andIundertaketoputittorightswithintwohours。\"
Itwastheroomadjoiningthechamberofthetwosisters。Nanettesaidimmediatelythatshewouldcomedownstairswithhersister,butMadameOrioansweredthatitwasunnecessary,astheycouldlockthemselvesintheirroom。
\"Therewouldbenoneedforthemtodothat,madam,\"Isaid,withaseriousandmodestair;\"andifIamlikelytooccasiontheslightestdisturbance,Icanremainattheinn。\"
\"Therewillbenodisturbancewhatever;butforgivemynieces,theyareyoungprudes,andhaveaveryhighopinionofthemselves:\"
Everythingbeingsatisfactorilyarranged,IforceduponMadameOrioapaymentoffifteensequinsinadvance,assuringherthatIwasrich,andthatIhadmadeaverygoodbargain,asIshouldspendagreatdealmoreifIkeptmyroomattheinn。IaddedthatIwouldsendmyluggage,andtakeupmyquartersinherhouseonthefollowingday。
Duringthewholeoftheconversation,Icouldseetheeyesofmytwodearlittlewivessparklingwithpleasure,andtheyreconqueredalltheirinfluenceovermyheartinspiteofmyloveforTherese,whoseimagewas,allthesame,brilliantinmysoul:thiswasapassinginfidelity,butnotinconstancy。
OnthefollowingdayIcalledatthewaroffice,but,toavoideverychanceofunpleasantness,Itookcaretoremovemycockade。IfoundintheofficeMajorPelodoro,whocouldnotcontrolhisjoywhenhesawmeinamilitaryuniform,andhuggedmewithdelight。AssoonasIhadexplainedtohimthatIwantedtogotoConstantinople,andthat,althoughinuniform,Iwasfree,headvisedmeearnestlytoseekthefavourofgoingtoTurkeywiththebailo,whointendedtoleavewithintwomonths,andeventotrytoobtainserviceintheVenetianarmy。
Hisadvicesuitedmeexactly,andthesecretaryofwar,whohadknownmetheyearbefore,happeningtoseeme,summonedmetohim。HetoldmethathehadreceivedlettersfromBolognawhichhadinformedhimofacertainadventureentirelytomyhonour,addingthatheknewthatIwouldnotacknowledgeit。HethenaskedmeifIhadreceivedmydischargebeforeleavingtheSpanisharmy。
\"Icouldnotreceivemydischarge,asIwasneverintheservice。\"
\"AndhowdidyoumanagetocometoVenicewithoutperformingquarantine?\"
\"PersonscomingfromMantuaarenotsubjecttoit。\"
\"True;butIadviseyoutoentertheVenetianservicelikeMajorPelodoro。\"
AsIwasleavingtheducalpalace,ImettheAbbeGrimaniwhotoldmethattheabruptmannerinwhichIhadlefthishousehaddispleasedeverybody。
\"EventheSpanishofficer?\"
\"No,forheremarkedthat,ifyouhadtrulybeenwiththearmy,youcouldnotactdifferently,andhehashimselfassuredmethatyouwerethere,andtoprovewhatheassertedhemademereadanarticleinthenewspaper,inwhichitisstatedthatyoukilledyourcaptaininaduel。Ofcourseitisonlyafable?\"
\"Howdoyouknowthatitisnotafact?\"
\"Isittrue,then?\"
\"Idonotsayso,butitmaybetrue,quiteastrueasmyhavingbeenwiththeSpanisharmytendaysago。\"
\"Butthatisimpossible,unlessyouhavebrokenthroughthequarantine。\"
\"Ihavebrokennothing。IhaveopenlycrossedthePoatRevero,andhereIam。Iamsorrynottobeabletopresentmyselfatyourexcellency’spalace,butIcannotdosountilIhavereceivedthemostcompletesatisfactionfromthepersonwhohasgivenmethelie。
IcouldputupwithaninsultwhenIworetheliveryofhumility,butIcannotbearonenowthatIwearthegarbofhonour。\"
\"Youarewrongtotakeitinsuchahightone。ThepersonwhoattackedyourveracityisM。Valmarana,theproveditoreofthesanitarydepartment,andhecontendsthat,asnobodycanpassthroughthecordon,itwouldbeimpossibleforyoutobehere。Satisfaction,indeed!Haveyouforgottenwhoyouare?\"
\"No,IknowwhoIam;andIknowlikewisethat,ifIwastakenforacowardbeforeleavingVenice,nowthatIhavereturnednooneshallinsultmewithoutrepentingit。\"
\"Comeanddinewithme。\"
\"No,becausetheSpanishofficerwouldknowit。\"
\"Hewouldevenseeyou,forhedineswithmeeveryday。\"
\"Verywell,thenIwillgo,andIwilllethimbethejudgeofmyquarrelwithM。Valmarana。\"
IdinedthatdaywithMajorPelodoroandseveralotherofficers,whoagreedinadvisingmetoentertheserviceoftheRepublic,andI
resolvedtodoso。\"Iamacquainted,\"saidthemajor,\"withayounglieutenantwhosehealthisnotsufficientlystrongtoallowhimtogototheEast,andwhowouldbegladtosellhiscommission,forwhichhewantsonehundredsequins。Butitwouldbenecessarytoobtaintheconsentofthesecretaryofwar。\"\"Mentionthemattertohim,\"I
replied,\"theonehundredsequinsareready。\"Themajorundertookthecommission。
IntheeveningIwenttoMadameOrio,andIfoundmyselfverycomfortablylodged。Aftersupper,theaunttoldherniecestoshewme,tomyroom,and,asmaywellbesupposed,wespentamostdelightfulnight。Afterthattheytooktheagreeabledutybyturns,andinordertoavoidanysurpriseincasetheauntshouldtakeitintoherheadtopaythemavisit,weskilfullydisplacedapartofthepartition,whichallowedthemtocomeinandoutofmyroomwithoutopeningthedoor。Butthegoodladybelievedusthreelivingspecimensofvirtue,andneverthoughtofputtingustothetest。
Twoorthreedaysafterwards,M。GrimanicontrivedaninterviewbetweenmeandM。Valmarana,whotoldmethat,ifhehadbeenawarethatthesanitarylinecouldbeeluded,hewouldneverhaveimpugnedmyveracity,andthankedmefortheinformationIhadgivenhim。Theaffairwasthusagreeablyarranged,anduntilmydepartureIhonouredM。Grimani’sexcellentdinnerwithmypresenceeveryday。
TowardstheendofthemonthIenteredtheserviceoftheRepublicinthecapacityofensignintheBalaregiment,thenatCorfu;theyoungmanwhohadlefttheregimentthroughthemagicalvirtueofmyonehundredsequinswaslieutenant,butthesecretaryofwarobjectedtomyhavingthatrankforreasonstowhichIhadtosubmit,ifIwishedtoenterthearmy;buthepromisedmethat,attheendoftheyear,I
wouldbepromotedtothegradeoflieutenant,andhegrantedmeafurloughtogotoConstantinople。Iaccepted,forIwasdeterminedtoserveinthearmy。
M。PierreVendramin,anillustrioussenator,obtainedmethefavourofapassagetoConstantinoplewiththeChevalierVenier,whowasproceedingtothatcityinthequalityofbailo,butashewouldarriveinCorfuamonthafterme,thechevalierverykindlypromisedtotakemeashecalledatCorfu。
Afewdaysbeforemydeparture,IreceivedaletterfromTherese,whoinformedmethattheDukedeCastropignanoescortedhereverywhere。
\"Thedukeisold,\"shewrote,\"butevenifhewereyoung,youwouldhavenocauseforuneasinessonmyaccount。Shouldyoueverwantanymoney,drawuponmefromanyplacewhereyoumayhappentobe,andbequitecertainthatyourlettersofexchangewillbepaid,evenifI
hadtoselleverythingIpossesstohonouryoursignature。\"
TherewastobeanotherpassengeronboardtheshipofthelineonwhichIhadengagedmypassage,namely,anobleVenetian,whowasgoingtoZanteinthequalityofcounsellor,withanumerousandbrilliantretinue。Thecaptainoftheshiptoldmethat,ifIwasobligedtotakemymealsalone,Iwasnotlikelytofareverywell,andheadvisedmetoobtainanintroductiontothenobleman,whowouldnotfailtoinvitemetosharehistable。HisnamewasAntonioDolfin,andhehadbeennicknamedBucentoro,inconsequenceofhisairofgrandeurandtheeleganceofhistoilet。FortunatelyIdidnotrequiretobeganintroduction,forM。Grimanioffered,ofhisownaccord,topresentmetothemagnificentcouncillor,whoreceivedmeinthekindestmanner,andinvitedmeatoncetotakemymealsathistable。HeexpressedadesirethatIshouldmaketheacquaintanceofhiswife,whowastoaccompanyhiminthejourney。Icalleduponherthenextday,andIfoundaladyperfectinmanners,butalreadyofacertainageandcompletelydeaf。Ihadthereforebutlittlepleasuretoexpectfromherconversation。Shehadaverycharmingyoungdaughterwhomsheleftinaconvent。Shebecamecelebratedafterwards,andsheisstillalive,Ibelieve,thewidowofProcuratorIron,whosefamilyisextinct。
Ihaveseldomseenafiner—lookingman,oramanofmoreimposingappearancethanM。Dolfin。Hewaseminentlydistinguishedforhiswitandpoliteness。Hewaseloquent,alwayscheerfulwhenhelostatcards,thefavouriteofladies,whomheendeavouredtopleaseineverything,alwayscourageous,andofanequaltemper,whetheringoodorinadversefortune。
Hehadventuredontravellingwithoutpermission,andhadenteredaforeignservice,whichhadbroughthimintodisgracewiththegovernment,foranoblesonofVenicecannotbeguiltyofagreatercrime。ForthisoffencehehadbeenimprisonedintheLeads——afavourwhichdestinykeptalsoinreserveforme。
Highlygifted,generous,butnotwealthy,M。DolfinhadbeencompelledtosolicitfromtheGrandCouncilalucrativegovernorship,andhadbeenappointedtoZante;buthestartedwithsuchasplendidsuitethathewasnotlikelytosavemuchoutofhissalary。SuchamanasIhavejustportrayedcouldnotmakeafortuneinVenice,becauseanaristocraticgovernmentcannotobtainastateoflasting,steadypeaceathomeunlessequalityismaintainedamongstthenobility,andequality,eithermoralorphysical,cannotbeappreciatedinanyotherwaythanbyappearances。Theresultisthatthemanwhodoesnotwanttolayhimselfopentopersecution,andwhohappenstobesuperiororinferiortotheothers,mustendeavourtoconcealitbyallpossiblemeans。Ifheisambitious,hemustfeigngreatcontemptfordignities;ifheseeksemployment,hemustnotappeartowantany;ifhisfeaturesarehandsome,hemustbecarelessofhisphysicalappearance;hemustdressbadly,wearnothingingoodtaste,ridiculeeveryforeignimportation,makehisbowwithoutgrace,becarelessinhismanner;carenothingforthefinearts,concealhisgoodbreeding,havenoforeigncook,wearanuncombedwig,andlookratherdirty。M。Dolfinwasnotendowedwithanyofthoseeminentqualities,andthereforehehadnohopeofagreatfortuneinhisnativecountry。
ThedaybeforemydeparturefromVeniceIdidnotgoout;Idevotedthewholeofthedaytofriendship。MadameOrioandherlovelyniecesshedmanytears,andIjoinedtheminthatdelightfulemployment。DuringthelastnightthatIspentwithbothofthem,thesistersrepeatedoverandover,inthemidstoftherapturesoflove,thattheyneverwouldseemeagain。Theyguessedrightly;butiftheyhadhappenedtoseemeagaintheywouldhaveguessedwrongly。
Observehowwonderfulprophetsare!
Iwentonboard,onthe5thofMay,withagoodsupplyofclothing,jewels,andreadycash。Ourshipcarriedtwenty—fourgunsandtwohundredSclavoniansoldiers。WesailedfromMalamaccatotheshoresofIstriaduringthenight,andwecametoanchorintheharbourofOrseratotakeballast。IlandedwithseveralotherstotakeastrollthroughthewretchedplacewhereIhadspentthreedaysninemonthsbefore,arecollectionwhichcausedmeapleasantsensationwhenIcomparedmypresentpositiontowhatitwasatthattime。
Whatadifferenceineverything——health,socialcondition,andmoney!
IfeltquitecertainthatinthesplendiduniformIwasnowwearingnobodywouldrecognizethemiserable—lookingabbewho,butforFriarStephano,wouldhavebecome——Godknowswhat!
CHAPTERXIV
AnAmusingMeetinginOrsera——JourneytoCorfu——MyStayinConstantinople——Bonneval——MyReturntoCorfu——MadameF。——TheFalsePrince——IRunAwayfromCorfu——MyFrolicsatCasopo——ISurrenderMyselfaPrisoner——MySpeedyReleaseandTriumph——MySuccesswithMadameF。
Iaffirmthatastupidservantismoredangerousthanabadone,andamuchgreaterplague,foronecanbeonone’sguardagainstawickedperson,butneveragainstafool。Youcanpunishwickednessbutnotstupidity,unlessyousendawaythefool,maleorfemale,whoisguiltyofit,andifyoudosoyougenerallyfindoutthatthechangehasonlythrownyououtofthefrying—panintothefire。
Thischapterandthetwofollowingoneswerewritten;theygaveatfulllengthalltheparticularswhichImustnowabridge,formysillyservanthastakenthethreechaptersforherownpurposes。Shepleadedasanexcusethatthesheetsofpaperwereold,writtenupon,coveredwithscribblinganderasures,andthatshehadtakentheminpreferencetonice,cleanpaper,thinkingthatIwouldcaremuchmoreforthelastthanforthefirst。Iflewintoaviolentpassion,butIwaswrong,forthepoorgirlhadactedwithagoodintent;herjudgmentalonehadmisledher。Itiswellknownthatthefirstresultofangeristodeprivetheangrymanofthefacultyofreason,forangerandreasondonotbelongtothesamefamily。Luckily,passiondoesnotkeepmelongunderitssway:’Irasci,celeremtamenetplacabilemesse’。AfterIhadwastedmytimeinhurlingatherbitterreproaches,theforceofwhichdidnotstrikeher,andinprovingtoherthatshewasastupidfool,sherefutedallmyargumentsbythemostcompletesilence。Therewasnothingtodobuttoresignmyself,and,althoughnotyetinthebestoftempers,I
wenttowork。WhatIamgoingtowritewillprobablynotbesogoodaswhatIhadcomposedwhenIfeltintheproperhumour,butmyreadersmustbesatisfiedwithittheywill,liketheengineer,gainintimewhattheyloseinstrength。
IlandedatOrserawhileourshipwastakingballast,asashipcannotsailwellwhensheistoolight,andIwaswalkingaboutwhenIremarkedamanwhowaslookingatmeveryattentively。AsIhadnodreadofanycreditor,Ithoughtthathewasinterestedbymyfineappearance;Icouldnotfindfaultwithsuchafeeling,andkeptwalkingon,butasIpassedhim,headdressedme:
\"MightIpresumetoenquirewhetherthisisyourfirstvisittoOrsera,captain?\"
\"No,sir,itismysecondvisittothiscity。\"
\"Wereyounotherelastyear?\"
\"Iwas。\"
\"Butyouwerenotinuniformthen?\"
\"Trueagain;butyourquestionsbegintosoundratherindiscreet。\"
\"Begoodenoughtoforgiveme,sir,formycuriosityistheoffspringofgratitude。Iamindebtedtoyouforthegreatestbenefits,andI
trustthatProvidencehasbroughtyouhereagainonlytogivemetheopportunityofmakinggreaterstillmydebtofgratitudetoyou。\"
\"WhatonearthhaveIdone,andwhatcanIdoforyou?Iamatalosstoguessyourmeaning。\"
\"Willyoubesokindastocomeandbreakfastwithme?Myhouseisnearathand;myrefoscoisdelicious,pleasetotasteit,andIwillconvinceyouinafewwordsthatyouaretrulymybenefactor,andthatIhavearighttoexpectthatyouhavereturnedOrseratoloadmewithfreshbenefits。\"
Icouldnotsuspectthemanofinsanity;but,asIcouldnotmakehimout,Ifanciedthathewantedtomakemepurchasesomeofhisrefosco,andIacceptedhisinvitation。Wewentuptohisroom,andheleftmeforafewmomentstoorderbreakfast。Iobservedseveralsurgicalinstruments,whichmademesupposethathewasasurgeon,andIaskedhimwhenhereturned。
\"Yes,captain;Ihavebeenpractisingsurgeryinthisplacefortwentyyears,andinaverypoorway,forIhadnothingtodo,exceptafewcasesofbleeding,ofcupping,andoccasionallysomeslightexcoriationtodressorasprainedankletoputtorights。Ididnotearneventhepoorestliving。Butsincelastyearagreatchangehastakenplace;Ihavemadeagooddealofmoney,Ihavelaiditoutadvantageously,anditistoyou,captain,toyou(mayGodblessyou!)thatIamindebtedformypresentcomforts。\"
\"Buthowso?\"
\"Inthisway,captain。YouhadaconnectionwithDonJerome’shousekeeper,andyoulefther,whenyouwentaway,acertainsouvenirwhichshecommunicatedtoafriendofhers,who,inperfectgoodfaith,madeapresentofittohiswife。Thisladydidnotwish,I
suppose,tobeselfish,andshegavethesouvenirtoalibertinewho,inhisturn,wassogenerouswithitthat,inlessthanamonth,I
hadaboutfiftyclients。Thefollowingmonthswerenotlessfruitful,andIgavethebenefitofmyattendancetoeverybody,ofcourse,foraconsideration。Thereareafewpatientsstillundermycare,butinashorttimetherewillbenomore,asthesouvenirleftbyyouhasnowlostallitsvirtue。YoucaneasilyrealizenowthejoyIfeltwhenIsawyou;youareabirdofgoodomen。MayIhopethatyourvisitwilllastlongenoughtoenableyoutorenewthesourceofmyfortune?\"
Ilaughedheartily,buthewasgrievedtohearthatIwasinexcellenthealth。Heremarked,however,thatIwasnotlikelytobesowelloffonmyreturn,because,inthecountrytowhichIwasgoing,therewasabundanceofdamagedgoods,butthatnooneknewbetterthanhedidhowtorootoutthevenomleftbytheuseofsuchbadmerchandise。HebeggedthatIwoulddependuponhim,andnottrustmyselfinthehandsofquacks,whowouldbesuretopalmtheirremediesuponme。Ipromisedhimeverything,and,takingleaveofhimwithmanythanks,Ireturnedtotheship。IrelatedthewholeaffairtoM。Dolfin,whowashighlyamused。Wesailedonthefollowingday,butonthefourthday,ontheothersideofCurzola,wewerevisitedbyastormwhichverynearlycostmemylife。Thisishowithappened:
ThechaplainoftheshipwasaSclavonianpriest,veryignorant,insolentandcoarse—mannered,and,asIturnedhimintoridiculewhenevertheopportunityoffered,hehadnaturallybecomemyswornenemy。’Tantdefielentre—t—ildansl’amed’undevot!’Whenthestormwasatitsheight,hepostedhimselfonthequarter—deck,and,withbookinhand,proceededtoexorciseallthespiritsofhellwhomhethoughthecouldseeintheclouds,andtowhomhepointedforthebenefitofthesailorswho,believingthemselveslost,werecrying,howling,andgivingwaytodespair,insteadofattendingtotheworkingoftheship,theningreatdangeronaccountoftherocksandofthebreakerswhichsurroundedus。
Seeingtheperilofourposition,andtheevileffectofhisstupid,incantationsuponthemindsofthesailorswhomtheignorantpriestwasthrowingintotheapathyofdespair,insteadofkeepinguptheircourage,Ithoughtitprudenttointerfere。Iwentuptherigging,callinguponthesailorstodotheirdutycheerfully,tellingthemthattherewerenodevils,andthatthepriestwhopretendedtoseethemwasafool。ButitwasinvainthatIspokeinthemostforciblemanner,invainthatIwenttoworkmyself,andshewedthatsafetywasonlytobeinsuredbyactivemeans,IcouldnotpreventthepriestdeclaringthatIwasanAtheist,andhemanagedtorouseagainstmetheangerofthegreatestpartofthecrew。Thewindcontinuedtolashtheseaintofuryforthetwofollowingdays,andtheknavecontrivedtopersuadethesailorswholistenedtohimthatthehurricanewouldnotabateaslongasIwasonboard。Imbuedwiththatconviction,oneofthemen,thinkinghehadfoundagoodopportunityoffulfillingthewishesofthepriest,cameuptomeasIwasstandingattheextremeendoftheforecastle,andpushedmesoroughlythatIwasthrownover。Ishouldhavebeenirretrievablylost,butthesharppointofananchor,hangingalongthesideoftheship,catchinginmyclothes,preventedmefromfallinginthesea,andprovedtrulymysheet—anchor。Somemencametomyassistance,andIwassaved。Acorporalthenpointedouttomethesailorwhohadtriedtomurderme,andtakingastoutstickItreatedthescoundreltoasoundthrashing;butthesailors,headedbythefuriouspriest,rushedtowardsuswhentheyheardhisscreams,andI
shouldhavebeenkilledifthesoldiershadnottakenmypart。ThecommanderandM。Dolfinthencameondeck,buttheywerecompelledtolistentothechaplain,andtopromise,inordertopacifythevilerabble,thattheywouldlandmeatthefirstopportunity。Buteventhiswasnotenough;thepriestdemandedthatIshouldgiveuptohimacertainparchmentthatIhadpurchasedfromaGreekatMalamoccojustbeforesailing。Ihadnorecollectionofit,butitwastrue。
Ilaughed,andgaveittoM。Dolfin;hehandedittothefanaticchaplain,who,exultinginhisvictory,calledforalargepanoflivecoalsfromthecook’sgalley,andmadeanauto—da—feofthedocument。Theunluckyparchment,beforeitwasentirelyconsumed,keptwrithingonthefireforhalfanhour,andthepriestdidnotfailtorepresentthosecontortionsasamiracle,andallthesailorsweresurethatitwasaninfernalmanuscriptgiventomebythedevil。Thevirtueclaimedforthatpieceofparchmentbythemanwhohadsoldittomewasthatitinsureditsluckypossessortheloveofallwomen,butItrustmyreaderswilldomethejusticetobelievethatIhadnofaithwhateverinamorousphiltres,talismans,oramuletsofanykind:Ihadpurchaseditonlyforajoke。
YoucanfindthroughoutItaly,inGreece,andgenerallyineverycountrytheinhabitantsofwhichareyetwrappedupinprimitiveignorance,atribeofGreeks,ofJews,ofastronomers,andofexorcists,whoselltheirdupesragsandtoystowhichtheyboastinglyattachwonderfulvirtuesandproperties;amuletswhichrenderinvulnerable,scrapsofclothwhichdefendfromwitchcraft,smallbagsfilledwithdrugstokeepawaygoblins,andathousandgewgawsofthesamedescription。ThesewonderfulgoodshavenomarketablevaluewhateverinFrance,inEngland,inGermany,andthroughoutthenorthofEuropegenerally,but,inrevenge,theinhabitantsofthosecountriesindulgeinknavishpracticesofamuchworsekind。
Thestormabatedjustastheinnocentparchmentwaswrithingonthefire,andthesailors,believingthatthespiritsofhellhadbeenexorcised,thoughtnomoreofgettingridofmyperson,andafteraprosperousvoyageofaweekwecastanchoratCorfu。AssoonasI
hadfoundacomfortablelodgingItookmyletterstohiseminencetheproveditore—generale,andtoallthenavalcommanderstowhomIwasrecommended;andafterpayingmyrespectstomycolonel,andmakingtheacquaintanceoftheofficersofmyregiment,IpreparedtoenjoymyselfuntilthearrivaloftheChevalierVenier,whohadpromisedtotakemetoConstantinople。HearrivedtowardsthemiddleofJune,butinthemeantimeIhadbeenplayingbasset,andhadlostallmymoney,andsoldorpledgedallmyjewellery。
Suchmustbethefateawaitingeverymanwhohasatasteforgambling,unlessheshouldknowhowtofixficklefortunebyplayingwitharealadvantagederivedfromcalculationorfromadroitness,whichdefieschance。Ithinkthatacoolandprudentplayercanmanagebothwithoutexposinghimselftocensure,ordeservingtobecalledacheat。
DuringthemonththatIspentinCorfu,waitingforthearrivalofM。
Venier,Ididnotdevoteanytimetothestudy,eithermoralorphysical,ofthecountry,for,exceptingthedaysonwhichIwasonduty,Ipassedmylifeatthecoffee—house,intentuponthegame,andsinking,asamatterofcourse,undertheadversefortunewhichI
bravedwithobstinacy。Ineverwon,andIhadnotthemoralstrengthtostoptillallmymeansweregone。TheonlycomfortIhad,andasorryonetruly,wastohearthebankerhimselfcallme——perhapssarcastically——afineplayer,everytimeIlostalargestake。Mymiserywasatitsheight,whennewlifewasinfusedinmebytheboomingofthegunsfiredinhonourofthearrivalofthebailo。HewasonboardtheEuropa,afrigateofseventy—twoguns,andhehadtakenonlyeightdaystosailfromVenicetoCorfu。Themomenthecastanchor,thebailohoistedhisflagofcaptain—generaloftheVenetiannavy,andtheproveditorehauleddownhisowncolours。TheRepublicofVenicehasnotontheseaanyauthoritygreaterthanthatofBailotothePorte。TheChevalierVenierhadwithhimadistinguishedandbrilliantsuite;CountAnnibalGambera,CountCharlesZenobio,bothVenetiannoblemenofthefirstclass,andtheMarquisd’AnchottiofBressan,accompaniedhimtoConstantinoplefortheirownamusement。ThebailoremainedaweekinCorfu,andallthenavalauthoritiesentertainedhimandhissuiteinturn,sothattherewasaconstantsuccessionofballsandsuppers。WhenI
presentedmyselftohisexcellency,heinformedmethathehadalreadyspokentotheproveditore,whohadgrantedmeafurloughofsixmonthstoenablemetoaccompanyhimtoConstantinopleashisadjutant;andassoonastheofficialdocumentformyfurloughhadbeendeliveredtome,IsentmysmallstockofworldlygoodsonboardtheEuropa,andweweighedanchorearlythenextday。
WesailedwithafavourablewindwhichremainedsteadyandbroughtusinsixdaystoCerigo,wherewestoppedtotakeinsomewater。
FeelingsomecuriositytovisittheancientCythera,Iwentonshorewiththesailorsonduty,butitwouldhavebeenbetterformeifI
hadremainedonboard,forinCerigoImadeabadacquaintance。I
wasaccompaniedbythecaptainofmarines。
Themomentwesetfootonshore,twomen,verypoorlydressedandofunprepossessingappearance,cametousandbeggedforassistance。I
askedthemwhotheywere,andone,quickerthantheother,answered;
\"Wearesentencedtolive,andperhapstodie,inthisislandbythedespotismoftheCouncilofTen。Therearefortyothersasunfortunateasourselves,andweareallbornsubjectsoftheRepublic。
\"Thecrimeofwhichwehavebeenaccused,whichisnotconsideredacrimeanywhere,isthatwewereinthehabitoflivingwithourmistresses,withoutbeingjealousofourfriends,when,findingourladieshandsome,theyobtainedtheirfavourswithourreadyconsent。
Aswewerenotrich,wefeltnoremorseinavailingourselvesofthegenerosityofourfriendsinsuchcases,butitwassaidthatwewerecarryingonanillicittrade,andwehavebeensenttothisplace,wherewereceiveeverydaytensousin’monetalunga’。Wearecalled’mangia—mayroni’,andareworseoffthangalleyslaves,forwearedyingofennui,andweareoftenstarvingwithoutknowinghowtostayourhunger。MynameisDonAntonioPocchini,IamofanoblePaduanfamily,andmymotherbelongstotheillustriousfamilyofCampoSan—
Piero。\"
Wegavethemsomemoney,andwentabouttheisland,returningtotheshipafterwehadvisitedthefortress。IshallhavetospeakofthatPocchiniinafewyears。
Thewindcontinuedinourfavour,andwereachedtheDardanellesineightortendays;theTurkishbargesmetustheretocarryustoConstantinople。Thesightofferedbythatcityatthedistanceofaleagueistrulywonderful;andIbelievethatamoremagnificentpanoramacannotbefoundinanypartoftheworld。ItwasthatsplendidviewwhichwasthecauseofthefalloftheRoman,andoftheriseoftheGreekempire。ConstantinetheGreat,arrivingatByzantiumbysea,wassomuchstruckwiththewonderfulbeautyofitsposition,thatheexclaimed,\"Hereistheproperseatoftheempireofthewholeworld!\"andinordertosecurethefulfilmentofhisprediction,heleftRomeforByzantium。IfhehadknowntheprophecyofHorace,orratherifhehadbelievedinit,hewouldnothavebeenguiltyofsuchfolly。Thepoethadsaidthatthe,downfalloftheRomanempirewouldbeginonlywhenoneofthesuccessorsofAugustusbethoughthimremovingthecapitaloftheempiretowhereithadoriginated。TheTroadisnotfardistantfromThrace。
WearrivedattheVenetianEmbassyinPeratowardsthemiddleofJuly,and,forawonder,therewasnotalkoftheplagueinConstantinoplejustthen。Wewereallprovidedwithverycomfortablelodgings,buttheintensityoftheheatinducedthebailitoseekforalittlecoolnessinacountrymansionwhichhadbeenhiredbytheBailoDona。ItwassituatedatBouyoudere。Theveryfirstorderlaiduponmewasnevertogooutunknowntothebailo,andwithoutbeingescortedbyajanissary,andthisorderIobeyedtotheletter。
InthosedaystheRussianshadnottamedtheinsolenceoftheTurkishpeople。Iamtoldthatforeignerscannowgoaboutasmuchastheypleaseinperfectsecurity。
Thedayafterourarrival,ItookajanissarytoaccompanymetoOsmanPacha,ofCaramania,thenameassumedbyCountdeBonnevaleversincehehadadoptedtheturban。Isentinmyletter,andwasimmediatelyshewnintoanapartmentonthegroundfloor,furnishedintheFrenchfashion,whereIsawastoutelderlygentleman,dressedlikeaFrenchman,who,asIenteredtheroom,rose,cametomeetmewithasmilingcountenance,andaskedmehowhecouldservethe’protege’ofacardinaloftheRomanCatholicChurch,whichhecouldnolongercallhismother。Igavehimalltheparticularsofthecircumstanceswhich,inamomentofdespair,hadinducedmetoaskthecardinalforlettersofintroductionforConstantinople,andI
addedthat,thelettersonceinmypossession,mysuperstitiousfeelingshadmademebelievethatIwasboundtodelivertheminperson。
\"Then,withoutthisletter,\"hesaid,\"youneverwouldhavecometoConstantinople,andyouhavenoneedofme?\"
\"True,butIconsidermyselffortunateinhavingthusmadetheacquaintanceofamanwhohasattractedtheattentionofthewholeofEurope,andwhostillcommandsthatattention。\"
Hisexcellencymadesomeremarkrespectingthehappinessofyoungmenwho,likeme,withoutcare,withoutanyfixedpurpose,abandonthemselvestofortunewiththatconfidencewhichknowsnofear,andtellingmethatthecardinal’slettermadeitdesirablethatheshoulddosomethingforme,hepromisedtointroducemetothreeorfourofhisTurkishfriendswhodeservedtobeknown。HeinvitedmetodinewithhimeveryThursday,andundertooktosendmeajanissarywhowouldprotectmefromtheinsultsoftherabbleandshewmeeverythingworthseeing。
Thecardinal’sletterrepresentingmeasaliteraryman,thepachaobservedthatIoughttoseehislibrary。Ifollowedhimthroughthegarden,andweenteredaroomfurnishedwithgratedcupboards;
curtainscouldbeseenbehindthewirework;thebooksweremostlikelybehindthecurtains。
Takingakeyoutofhispocket,heopenedoneofthecupboards,and,insteadoffolios,Isawlongrowsofbottlesofthefinestwines。
Webothlaughedheartily。
\"Hereare,\"saidthepacha。\"mylibraryandmyharem。Iamold,womenwouldonlyshortenmylifebutgoodwinewillprolongit,oratleast,makeitmoreagreeable。
\"Iimagineyourexcellencyhasobtainedadispensationfromthemufti?\"
\"Youaremistaken,forthePopeoftheTurksisveryfarfromenjoyingasgreatapowerastheChristianPope。HecannotinanycasepermitwhatisforbiddenbytheKoran;buteveryoneisatlibertytoworkouthisowndamnationifhelikes。TheTurkishdevoteespitythelibertines,buttheydonotpersecutethem;thereisnoinquisitioninTurkey。Thosewhodonotknowthepreceptsofreligion,saytheTurks,willsufferenoughinthelifetocome;
thereisnoneedtomakethemsufferinthislife。TheonlydispensationIhaveaskedandobtained,hasbeenrespectingcircumcision,althoughitcanhardlybecalledso,because,atmyage,itmighthaveproveddangerous。Thatceremonyisgenerallyperformed,butitisnotcompulsory。\"
Duringthetwohoursthatwespenttogether,thepachaenquiredafterseveralofhisfriendsinVenice,andparticularlyafterMarcAntonioDieto。Itoldhimthathisfriendswerestillfaithfultotheiraffectionforhim,anddidnotfindfaultwithhisapostasy。HeansweredthathewasaMahometanashehadbeenaChristian,andthathewasnotbetteracquaintedwiththeKoranthanhehadbeenwiththeGospel。\"Iamcertain,\"headded,\"thatIshalldie—calmerandmuchhappierthanPrinceEugene。IhavehadtosaythatGodisGod,andthatMahometistheprophet。Ihavesaidit,andtheTurkscareverylittlewhetherIbelieveitornot。Iweartheturbanasthesoldierwearstheuniform。Iwasnothingbutamilitaryman;Icouldnothaveturnedmyhandtoanyotherprofession,andImadeupmymindtobecomelieutenant—generaloftheGrandTurkonlywhenIfoundmyselfentirelyatalosshowtoearnmyliving。WhenIleftVenice,thepitcherhadgonetoooftentothewell,itwasbrokenatlast,andiftheJewshadofferedmethecommandofanarmyoffiftythousandmen,IwouldhavegoneandbesiegedJerusalem。
Bonnevalwashandsome,buttoostout。Hehadreceivedasabre—cutinthelowerpartoftheabdomen,whichcompelledhimtowearconstantlyabandagesupportedbyasilverplate。HehadbeenexiledtoAsia,butonlyforashorttime,for,ashetoldme,thecabalsarenotsotenaciousinTurkeyastheyareinEurope,andparticularlyatthecourtofVienna。AsIwastakingleaveofhim,hewaskindenoughtosaythat,sincehisarrivalinTurkey,hehadneverpassedtwohoursaspleasantlyasthosehehadjustspentwithme,andthathewouldcomplimentthebailoaboutme。
TheBailoDona,whohadknownhimintimatelyinVenice,desiredmetobethebearerofallhisfriendlycomplimentsforhim,andM。Venierexpressedhisdeepregretatnotbeingabletomakehisacquaintance。
TheseconddayaftermyfirstvisittohimbeingaThursday,thepachadidnotforgettosendajanissaryaccordingtohispromise。
Itwasabouteleveninthemorningwhenthejanissarycalledforme,Ifollowedhim,andthistimeIfoundBonnevaldressedintheTurkishstyle。Hisguestssoonarrived,andwesatdowntodinner,eightofus,allwelldisposedtobecheerfulandhappy。ThedinnerwasentirelyFrench,incookingandservice;hisstewardandhiscookwerebothworthyFrenchrenegades。
Hehadtakencaretointroducemetoallhisguestsandatthesametimetoletmeknowwhotheywere,buthedidnotgivemeanopportunityofspeakingbeforedinnerwasnearlyover。TheconversationwasentirelykeptupinItalian,andIremarkedthattheTurksdidnotutterasinglewordintheirownlanguage,eventosaythemostordinarything。Eachguesthadnearhimabottlewhichmighthavecontainedeitherwhitewineorhydromel;allIknowisthatIdrank,aswellasM。deBonneval,nexttowhomIwasseated,someexcellentwhiteBurgundy。
TheguestsgotmeonthesubjectofVenice,andparticularlyofRome,andtheconversationverynaturallyfelluponreligion,butnotupondogmaticquestions;thedisciplineofreligionandliturgicalquestionswerealonediscussed。
Oneoftheguests,whowasaddressedaseffendi,becausehehadbeensecretaryforforeignaffairs,saidthattheambassadorfromVenicetoRomewasafriendofhis,andhespokeofhiminthehighestmanner。ItoldhimthatIsharedhisadmirationforthatambassador,whohadgivenmealetterofintroductionforaTurkishnobleman,whomhehadrepresentedasanintimatefriend。Heenquiredforthenameofthepersontowhomtheletterwasaddressed,butIcouldnotrecollectit,andtooktheletteroutofmypocket—book。Theeffendiwasdelightedwhenhefoundthattheletterwasforhimself。Hebeggedleavetoreaditatonce,andafterhehadperusedit,hekissedthesignatureandcametoembraceme。ThisscenepleasedM。
deBonnevalandallhisfriends。Theeffendi,whosenamewasIsmail,entreatedthepachatocometodinewithhim,andtobringme;
Bonnevalaccepted,andfixedaday。
Notwithstandingallthepolitenessoftheeffendi,Iwasparticularlyinterestedduringourcharmingdinnerinafineelderlymanofaboutsixty,whosecountenancebreathedatthesametimethegreatestsagacityandthemostperfectkindness。TwoyearsafterwardsIfoundagainthesamefeaturesonthehandsomefaceofM。deBragadin,aVenetiansenatorofwhomIshallhavetospeakatlengthwhenwecometothatperiodofmylife。Thatelderlygentlemanhadlistenedtomewiththegreatestattention,butwithoututteringoneword。Insociety,amanwhosefaceandgeneralappearanceexciteyourinterest,stimulatesstronglyyourcuriosityifheremainssilent。
Whenweleftthedining—roomIenquiredfromdeBonnevalwhohewas;
heansweredthathewaswealthy,aphilosopher,amanofacknowledgedmerit,ofgreatpurityofmorals,andstronglyattachedtohisreligion。Headvisedmetocultivatehisacquaintanceifhemadeanyadvancestome。
Iwaspleasedwithhisadvice,andwhen,afterawalkundertheshadytreesofthegarden,wereturnedtoadrawing—roomfurnishedintheTurkishfashion,IpurposelytookaseatnearYusufAli。SuchwasthenameoftheTurkforwhomIfeltsomuchsympathy。Heofferedmehispipeinaverygracefulmanner;Irefuseditpolitely,andtookonebroughttomebyoneofM。deBonneval’sservants。WheneverI
havebeenamongstsmokersIhavesmokedorlefttheroom;otherwiseI
wouldhavefanciedthatIwasswallowingthesmokeoftheothers,andthatideawhichistrueandunpleasant,disgustedme。IhaveneverbeenabletounderstandhowinGermanytheladies,otherwisesopoliteanddelicate,couldinhalethesuffocatingfumesofacrowdofsmokers。
Yusuf,pleasedtohavemenearhim,atonceledtheconversationtosubjectssimilartothosewhichhadbeendiscussedattable,andparticularlytothereasonswhichhadinducedmetogiveupthepeacefulprofessionoftheChurchandtochooseamilitarylife;andinordertogratifyhiscuriositywithoutlosinghisgoodopinion,I
gavehim,butwithpropercaution,someoftheparticularsofmylife,forIwantedhimtobesatisfiedthat,ifIhadatfirstenteredthecareeroftheholypriesthood,ithadnotbeenthroughanyvocationofmine。Heseemedpleasedwithmyrecital,spokeofnaturalvocationsasaStoicphilosopher,andIsawthathewasafatalist;butasIwascarefulnottoattackhissystemopenly,hedidnotdislikemyobjections,mostlikelybecausehethoughthimselfstrongenoughtooverthrowthem。
ImusthaveinspiredthehonestMussulmanwithverygreatesteem,forhethoughtmeworthyofbecominghisdisciple;itwasnotlikelythathecouldentertaintheideaofbecominghimselfthediscipleofayoungmanofnineteen,lost,ashethought,inafalsereligion。
Afterspendinganhourinexaminingme,inlisteningtomyprinciples,hesaidthathebelievedmefittoknowtherealtruth,becausehesawthatIwasseekingforit,andthatIwasnotcertainofhavingobtaineditsofar。Heinvitedmetocomeandspendawholedaywithhim,namingthedayswhenIwouldbecertaintofindhimathome,butheadvisedmetoconsultthePachaOsmanbeforeacceptinghisinvitation。Itoldhimthatthepachahadalreadymentionedhimtomeandhadspokenveryhighlyofhischaracter;heseemedmuchpleased。Ifixedadayformyvisit,andlefthim。
IinformedM。deBonnevalofallthathadoccurred;hewasdelighted,andpromisedthathisjanissarywouldbeeverydayattheVenetianpalace,readytoexecutemyorders。
IreceivedthecongratulationsofthebailiupontheexcellentacquaintancesIhadalreadymade,andM。Venieradvisedmenottoneglectsuchfriendsinacountrywherewearinessoflifewasmoredeadlytoforeignersthantheplague。
Onthedayappointed,IwentearlytoYusuf’spalace,buthewasout。
Hisgardener,whohadreceivedhisinstructions,shewedmeeveryattention,andentertainedmeveryagreeablyfortwohoursindoingthehonoursofhismaster’ssplendidgarden,whereIfoundthemostbeautifulflowers。ThisgardenerwasaNeapolitan,andhadbelongedtoYusufforthirtyyears。Hismannersmademesuspectthathewaswellbornandwelleducated,buthetoldmefranklythathehadneverbeentaughteventoread,thathewasasailorwhenhe,wastakeninslavery,andthathewassohappyintheserviceofYusufthatlibertywouldbeapunishmenttohim。OfcourseIdidnotventuretoaddresshimanyquestionsabouthismaster,forhisreservemighthaveputmycuriositytotheblush。
Yusufhadgoneoutonhorseback;hereturned,and,aftertheusualcompliments,wedinedaloneinasummerhouse,fromwhichwehadafineviewofthesea,andinwhichtheheatwascooledbyadelightfulbreeze,whichblowsregularlyatthesamehoureverydayfromthenorth—west;andiscalledthemistral。Wehadagooddinner;therewasnoprepareddishexceptthecauroman,apeculiardelicacyoftheTurks。Idrankwaterandhydromel,andItoldYusufthatIpreferredthelasttowine,ofwhichInevertookmuchatthattime。\"Yourhydromel,\"Isaid,\"isverygood,andtheMussulmanswhooffendagainstthelawbydrinkingwinedonotdeserveanyindulgence;Ibelievetheydrinkwineonlybecauseitisforbidden。\"
\"Manyofthetruebelievers,\"heanswered。\"thinkthattheycantakeitasamedicine。TheGrandTurk’sphysicianhasbroughtitintovogueasamedicine,andithasbeenthecauseofhisfortune,forhehascaptivatedthefavourofhismasterwhoisinrealityconstantlyill,becauseheisalwaysinastateofintoxication。\"ItoldYusufthatinmycountrydrunkardswerescarce,andthatdrunkennesswasavicetobefoundonlyamongthelowestpeople;,hewasmuchastonished。\"Icannotunderstand,\"hesaid,\"whywineisallowedbyallreligions,whenitsusedeprivesmanofhisreason。\"\"Allreligions,\"Ianswered,\"forbidexcessindrinkingwine,andthecrimeisonlyintheabuse。\"IprovedhimthetruthofwhatIhadsaidbytellinghimthatopiumproducedthesameresultsaswine,butmorepowerfully,andconsequentlyMahometoughttohaveforbiddentheuseofit。Heobservedthathehadnevertakeneitherwineoropiuminthecourseofhislife。
Afterdinner,pipeswerebroughtinandwefilledthemourselves。I
wassmokingwithpleasure,but,atthesametime,wasexpectorating。
Yusuf,whosmokedlikeaTurk,thatistosay,withoutspitting,said,——
\"Thetobaccoyouarenowsmokingisofaveryfinequality,andyououghttoswallowitsbalsamwhichismixedwiththesaliva。\"
\"Isupposeyouareright;smokingcannotbetrulyenjoyedwithoutthebesttobacco。\"
\"Thatistruetoacertainextent,buttheenjoymentfoundinsmokinggoodtobaccoisnottheprincipalpleasure,becauseitonlypleasesoursenses;trueenjoymentisthatwhichworksuponthesoul,andiscompletelyindependentofthesenses。\"
\"Icannotrealizepleasuresenjoyedbythesoulwithouttheinstrumentalityofthesenses。\"
\"Listentome。Whenyoufillyourpipedoyoufeelanypleasure?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Whencedoesthatpleasurearise,ifitisnotfromyoursoul?Letusgofurther。Doyounotfeelpleasedwhenyougiveupyourpipeafterhavingsmokedallthetobaccoinit——whenyouseethatnothingisleftbutsomeashes?\"
\"Itistrue。\"
\"Well,therearetwopleasuresinwhichyoursenseshavecertainlynothingtodo,butIwantyoutoguessthethird,andthemostessential。\"
\"Themostessential?Itistheperfume。\"
\"No;thatisapleasureoftheorganofsmelling——asensualpleasure。\"
\"ThenIdonotknow。\"
\"Listen。Theprincipalpleasurederivedfromtobaccosmokingisthesightofasmokeitself。Youmustneverseeitgooutofthebowlofyourpipe,——butonlyfromthecorneroyourmouth,atregularintervalswhichmustnotbetoofrequent。Itissotrulythegreatestpleasureconnectedwiththepipe,thatyoucannotfindanywhereablindmanwhosmokes。Tryyourselftheexperimentofsmokingapipeinyourroom,atnightandwithoutalight;youwillsoonlaythepipedown。\"
\"Itisallperfectlytrue;yetyoumustforgivemeifIgivethepreferencetoseveralpleasures,inwhichmysensesareinterested,overthosewhichaffordenjoymentonlytomysoul。\"
\"FortyyearsagoIwasofthesameopinion,andinfortyyears,ifyousucceedinacquiringwisdom,youwillthinklikeme。Pleasureswhichgiveactivitytooursenses,mydearson,disturbthereposeofoursoul——aproofthattheydonotdeservethenameofrealenjoyments。\"
\"ButifIfeelthemtoberealenjoyments,itisenoughtoprovethattheyaretrulyso。\"
\"Granted;butifyouwouldtakethetroubleofanalyzingthemafteryouhavetastedthem,youwouldnotfindthemunalloyed。\"
\"Itmaybeso,butwhyshouldItakeatroublewhichwouldonlylessenmyenjoyment。\"
\"Atimewillcomewhenyouwillfeelpleasureinthatverytrouble。\"
\"Itstrikesme,dearfather,thatyouprefermatureagetoyouth。\"
\"Youmayboldlysayoldage。\"
\"Yousurpriseme。MustIbelievethatyourearlylifehasbeenunhappy?\"