第12章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Casanova",免费读到尾

  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?\"

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