第110章
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  \"Trytopreventhisdoingso,\"Iadded,\"evenbyviolence,butinthefirstplaceendeavourtopacifyhim。\"

  Nodoubtthecountwasafraid,forhecalledouttohisservantsandorderedthemtofetchthepriest,whetherhecouldcomeorno。Hisorderwasexecuted,andthepriestwasledin,foamingwithrage,cursingthecount,callinghimexcommunicatedwretch,whoseverybreathwaspoisonous;swearingthatneveranothermassshouldbesunginthechapelthathadbeenpollutedwithsacrilege,andfinallypromisingthatthearchbishopshouldavengehim。

  Thecountlethimsayon,andthenforcedhimintoachair,andtheunworthyecclesiasticnotonlyatebutgotdrunk。Thuspeacewasconcluded,andtheabbeforgotallhiswrongs。

  AfewdayslatertwoCapuchinscametovisithimatnoon。Theydidnotgo,andashedidnotcaretodismissthem,dinnerwasservedwithoutanyplacebeinglaidforthefriars。Thereuponthebolderofthetwoinformedthecountthathehadhadnodinner。Withoutreplying,thecounthadhimacommodatedwithaplatefulofrice。TheCapuchinrefusedit,sayingthathewasworthytosit,notonlyathistable,butatamonarch’s。Thecount,whohappenedtobeinagoodhumour,repliedthattheycalledthemselves\"unworthybrethren,\"andthattheywereconsequentlynotworthyofanyofthisworld’sgoodthings。

  TheCapuchinmadebutapooranswer,andasIthoughtthecounttobeintherightIproccededtobackhimup,tellingthefriarheoughttobeashamedathavingcommittedthesinofpride,sostrictlycondemnedbytherulesofhisorder。

  TheCapuchinansweredmewithatorrentofabuse,sothecountorderedapairofscissorstobebrought,thatthebeardsofthefilthyroguesmightbecutoff。Atthisawfulthreatthetwofriarsmadetheirescape,andwelaughedheartilyovertheincident。

  Ifallthecount’seccentricitieshadbeenofthiscomparativelyharmlessandamusingnature,Ishouldnothaveminded,butsuchwasfarfrombeingthecase。

  Insteadofchylehisorgansmusthavedistilledsomevirulentpoison;hewasalwaysathisworstinhisafterdinnerhours。Hisappetitewasfurious;heatemorelikeatigerthanaman。Onedaywehappenedtobeeatingwoodcock,andIcouldnothelppraisingthedishinthestyleofthetruegourmand。Heimmediatelytookuphisbird,toreitlimbfromlimb,andgravelybademenottopraisethedishesIlikedasitirritatedhim。Ifeltaninclinationtolaughandalsoaninclinationtothrowthebottleathishead,whichIshouldprobablyhaveindulgedinhadIbeentwentyyearsyounger。However,Ididneither,feelingthatIshouldeitherleavehimoraccommodatemyselftohishumours。

  ThreemonthslaterMadameCosta,theactresswhomhehadgonetoseeatGorice,toldmethatshewouldneverhavebelievedinthepossibilityofsuchacreatureexistingifshehadnotknownCountTorriano。

  \"Thoughheisavigorouslover,\"shecontinued,\"itisamatterofgreatdifficultywithhimtoobtainthecrisis;andthewretchedwomaninhisarmsisinimminentdangerofbeingstrangledtodeathifshecannotconcealheramorousecstacy。Hecannotbeartoseeanother’spleasure。

  Ipityhiswifemostheartily。\"

  Iwillnowrelatetheincidentwhichputanendtomyrelationswiththisvenomouscreature。

  AmidsttheidlenessandwearinessofSpessaIhappenedtomeetaveryprettyandveryagreeableyoungwidow。Imadehersomesmallpresents,andfinallypersuadedhertopassthenightinmyroom。Shecameatmidnighttoavoidobservation,andleftatday—breakbyasmalldoorwhichopenedontotheroad。

  Wehadamusedourselvesinthispleasantmannerforaboutaweek,whenonemorningmysweetheartawokemethatImightclosethedoorafterherasusual。IhadscarcelydonesowhenIheardcriesforhelp。I

  quicklyopeneditagain,andIsawthescoundrellyTorrianoholdingthewidowwithonehandwhilehebeatherfuriouslywithastickheheldintheother。Irusheduponhim,andwefelltogether,whilethepoorwomanmadeherescape。

  Ihadonlymydresing—gownon,andhereIwasatadisadvantage;forcivilizedmanisapoorcreaturewithouthisclothes。However,Iheldthestickwithonehand,whileIqueezedhisthroatwiththeother。Onhissideheclungtothestickwithhisrighthand,andpulledmyhairwiththeleft。Atlasthistonguestartedoutandhehadtoletgo。

  Iwasonmyfeetagaininaninstant,andseizingthestickIaimedasturdyblowathishead,which,luckilyforhim,hepartiallyparried。

  Ididnotstrikeagain,sohegotup,ranalittleway,andbegantopickupstones。However,Ididnotwaittobepelted,butshutmyselfinmyroomandlaydownonthebed,onlysorrythatIhadnotchokedthevillainoutright。

  AssoonasIhadrestedIlookedtomypistols,dressedmyself,andwentoutwiththeintentionoflookingforsomekindofconveyancetotakemebacktoGorice。WithoutknowingitItookaroadthatledmetothecottageofthepoorwidow,whomIfoundlookingcalmthoughsad。Shetoldmeshehadreceivedmostoftheblowsonhershoulders,andwasnotmuchhurt。Whatvexedherwasthattheaffairwouldbecomepublic,astwopeasantshadseenthecountbeatingher,andoursubsequentcombat。

  Igavehertwosequins,begginghertocomeandseemeatGorice,andtotellmewhereIcouldfindaconveyance。

  Hersisterofferedtoshewmethewaytoafarm,whereIcouldgetwhatIwanted。OnthewayshetoldmethatTorrianohadbeenhersister’senemybeforethedeathofherhusbandbecausesherejectedallhisproposals。

  Ifoundagoodconveyanceatthefarm,andthemanpromisedtodrivemeintoGoricebydinner—time。

  Igavehimhalf—a—crownasanearnest,andwentaway,tellinghimtocomeforme。

  Ireturnedtothecount’sandhadscarcelyfinishedgettingreadywhentheconveyancedroveup。

  Iwasabouttoputmyluggageinit,whenaservantcamefromthecountaskingmetogivehimamoment’sconversation。

  IwroteanoteinFrench,sayingthatafterwhathadpassedweoughtnottomeetagainunderhisroof。

  Aminutelaterhecameintomyroom,andshutthedoor,saying,——

  \"Asyouwon’tspeaktome,Ihavecometospeaktoyou。\"

  \"Whathaveyougottosay?\"

  \"Ifyouleavemyhouseinthisfashionyouwilldishonourme,andIwillnotallowit。\"

  \"Excuseme,butIshouldverymuchliketoseehowyouaregoingtopreventmefromleavingyourhouse。\"

  \"Iwillnotallowyoutogobyyourself;wemustgotogether。\"

  \"Certainly;Iunderstandyouperfectly。Getyourswordoryourpistols,andwewillstartdirectly。Thereisroomfortwointhecarriage。\"

  \"Thatwon’tdo。Youmustdinewithme,andthenwecangoinmycarriage。\"

  Youmakeamistake。IshouldbeafoolifIdinedwithyouwhenourmiserabledisputeisalloverthevillage;to—morrowitwillhavereachedGorice。\"

  \"Ifyouwon’tdinewithme,Iwilldinewithyou,andpeoplemaysaywhattheylike。Wewillgoafterdinner,sosendawaythatconveyance。\"

  Ihadtogiveintohim。Thewretchedcountstayedwithmetillnoon,endeavouringtopersuademethathehadaperfectrighttobeatacountry—womanintheroad,andthatIwasaltogetherinthewrong。

  Ilaughed,andsaidIwonderedhowhederivedhisrighttobeatafreewomananywhere,andthathispretencethatIbeingherloverhadnorighttoprotectherwasamonstrousone。

  \"Shehadjustleftmyarms,\"Icontinued,\"wasInotthereforehernaturalprotector?Onlyacowardoramonsterlikeyourselfwouldhaveremainedindifferent,though,indeed,Ibelievethatevenyouwouldhavedonethesame。\"

  Afewminutesbeforewesatdowntodinnerhesaidthatneitherofuswouldprofitbytheadventure,ashemeantthedueltobetothedeath。

  \"Idon’tagreewithyouasfarasIamconcerned,\"Ireplied;\"andastotheduel,youcanfightornotfight,asyouplease;formypartIhavehadsatisfaction。IfwecometoaduelIhopetoleaveyouinthelandoftheliving,thoughIshalldomybesttolayyouupforaconsiderabletime,sothatyoumayhaveleisuretoreflectonyourfolly。Ontheotherhand,iffortunefavoursyou,youmayactasyouplease\"

  \"Wewillgointothewoodbyourselves,andmycoachmanshallhaveorderstodriveyouwhereveryoulikeifyoucomeoutofthewoodbyyourself。\"

  \"Verygoodindeed;andwhichwouldyouprefer——swordsorpistols?\"

  \"Swords,Ithink。\"

  \"ThenIpromisetounloadmypistolsassoonaswegetintothecarriage。\"

  Iwasastonishedtofindtheusuallybrutalcountbecomequitepoliteattheprospectofaduel。Ifeltperfectlyconfidentmyself,asIwassureofflooringhimatthefirststrokebyapeculiarlunge。ThenI

  couldescapethroughVenetianterritorywhereIwasnotknown。

  ButIhadgoodreasonsforsupposingthattheduelwouldendinsmokeassomanyotherduelswhenoneofthepartiesisacoward,andacowardI

  believedthecounttobe。

  Westartedafteranexcellentdinner;thecounthavingnoluggage,andminebeingstrappedbehindthecarriage。

  Itookcaretodrawthechargesofmypistolsbeforethecount。

  IhadheardhimtellthecoachmantodrivetowardsGorice,buteverymomentIexpectedtohearhimorderthemantodriveupthisorthatturningthatwemightsettleourdifferences。

  Iaskednoquestions,feelingthattheinitiativelaywithhim;butwedroveontillwewereatthegatesofGorice,andIburstoutlaughingwhenIheardthecountorderthecoachmantodrivetothepostinginn。

  Assoonaswegottherehesaid,——

  \"Youwereintheright;wemustremainfriends。Promisemenottotellanyoneofwhathashappened。\"

  Igavehimthepromise;weshookhands,andeverythingwasover。

  ThenextdayItookupmyabodeinoneofthequieteststreetstofinishmysecondvolumeonthePolishtroubles,butIstillmanagedtoenjoymyselfduringmystayatGorice。AtlastIresolvedonreturningtoTrieste,whereIhadmorechancesofservingandpleasingtheStateInquisitors。

  IstayedatGoricetilltheendoftheyear1773,andpassedanextremelypleasantsixweeks。

  MyadventureatSpessahadbecomepublicproperty。Atfirsteverybodyaddressedmeonthesubject,butasIlaughedandtreatedthewholethingasajokeitwouldsoonbeforgotten。Torrianotookcaretobemostpolitewheneverwemet;butIhadstampedhimasadangerouscharacter,andwheneverheaskedmetodinnerorsupperIhadotherengagements。

  Duringthecarnivalhemarriedtheyoungladyofwhomhehadspokentome,andaslongashelivedherlifewasmisery。Fortunatelyhediedamadmanthirteenorfourteenyearsafter。

  WhilstIwasatGoriceCountCharlesCoroninicontributedgreatlytomyenjoyment。Hediedfouryearslater,andamonthbeforehisdeathhesentmehiswillinostosyllabicItalianverses——aspecimenofphilosophicmirthwhichIstillpreserve。Itisfullofjestandwit,thoughIbelieveifhehadguessedthenearapproachofdeathhewouldnothavebeensocheerful,fortheprospectofimminentdestructioncanonlyenliventheheartofamaniac。

  DuringmystayatGoriceacertainM。RichardLorraincamethere。Hewasabachelorofforty,whohaddonegoodfinancialserviceundertheVienneseGovernment,andhadnowretiredwithacomfortablepension。Hewasafineman,andhisagreeablemannersandexcellenteducationprocuredhimadmissionintothebestcompanyinthetown。

  ImethimatthehouseofCountTorres,andsoonafterhewasmarriedtotheyoungcountess。

  InOctoberthenewCouncilofTenandthenewInquisitorstookoffice,andmyprotectorswrotetomethatiftheycouldnotobtainmypardoninthecourseofthenexttwelvemonthstheywouldbeinclinedtodespair。

  ThefirstoftheInquisitorswasSagredo,andintimatefriendoftheProcuratorMorosini’s;thesecond,Grimani,thefriendofmygoodDandolo;andM。Zaguriwrotetomethathewouldanswerforthethird,who,accordingtolaw,wasoneofthesixcouncillorswhoassisttheCouncilofTen。

  ItmaynotbegenerallyknownthattheCouncilofTenisreallyacouncilofseventeen,astheDogehasalwaysarighttobepresent。

  IreturnedtoTriestedeterminedtodomybestfortheTribunal,forI

  longedtoreturntoVeniceafternineteenyears’wanderings。

  Iwasthenforty—nine,andIexpectednomoreofFortune’sgifts,forthedeitydespisesthoseofripeage。Ithought,however,thatImightlivecomfortablyandindependentlyatVenice。

  Ihadtalentsandexperience,Ihopedtomakeuseofthem,andIthoughttheInquisitorswouldfeelboundtogivemesomesufficientemployment。

  IwaswritingthehistoryofthePolishtroubles,thefirstvolumewasprinted,thesecondwasinpreparation,andIthoughtofconcludingtheworkinsevenvolumes。AfterwardsIhadatranslationofthe\"Iliad\"inview,andotherliteraryprojectswouldnodoubtpresentthemselves。

  Infine,IthoughtmyselfsureoflivinginVenice,wheremanypersonswhowouldbebeggarselsewherecontinuetoliveattheirease。

  IleftGoriceonthelastdayofDecember,1773,andonJanuary1stI

  tookupmyabodeatTrieste。

  Icouldnothavereceivedawarmerwelcome。BaronPittoni,theVenetianconsul,allthetowncouncillors,andthemembersoftheclub,seemeddelightedtoseemeagain。Mycarnivalwasapleasantone,andinthebeginningofLentIpublishedthesecondvolumeofmyworkonPoland。

  ThechiefobjectofinteresttomeatTriestewasanactressinacompanythatwasplayingthere。Shewasnootherthanthedaughteroftheso—calledCountRinaldi,andmyreadersmayrememberherunderthenameofIrene。IhadlovedheratMilan,andneglectedheratGenoaonaccountofherfather’smisdeeds,andatAvignonIhadrescuedheratMarcoline’srequest。ElevenyearshadpassedbysinceIhadheardofher。

  Iwasastonishedtoseeher,andIthinkmoresorrythanglad,forshewasstillbeautiful,andImightfallinloveagain;andbeingnolongerinapositiontogiveherassistance,theissuemightbeunfortunateforme。However,Icalledonherthenextday,andwasgreetedwithashriekofdelight。Shetoldmeshehadseenmeatthetheatre,andfeltsureIwouldcomeandseeher。

  Sheintroducedmetoherhusband,whoplayedpartslikeScapin,andtohernine—year—olddaughter,whohadatalentfordancing。

  Shegavemeanabridgedaccountofherlifesincewehadmet。IntheyearIhadseenheratAvignonshehadgonetoTurinwithherfather。

  AtTurinshefellinlovewithherpresenthusband,andleftherparentstojoinherlottohis。

  \"Sincethat,\"shesaid,\"Ihaveheardofmyfather’sdeath,butIdonotknowwhathasbecomeofmymother。\"

  Aftersomefurtherconversationshetoldmeshewasafaithfulwife,thoughshedidnotpushfidelitysofarastodrivearichlovertodespair。

  \"Ihavenolovershere,\"sheadded,\"butIgivelittlesupperstoafewfriends。Idon’tmindtheexpense,asIwinsomemoneyatfaro。\"

  Shewasthebanker,andshebeggedmetojointhepartynowandthen。

  \"Iwillcomeaftertheplayto—night,\"Ireplied,\"butyoumustnotexpectanyhighplayofme。\"

  Ikepttheappointmentandsuppedwithanumberofsillyyoungtradesmen,whowereallinlovewithher。

  Aftersuppersheheldabank,andIwasgreatlyastonishedwhenIsawhercheatingwithgreatdexterity。Itmademewanttolaugh;however,I

  lostmyflorinswithagoodgraceandleft。However,IdidnotmeantoletIrenethinkshewasdupingme,andIwenttoseehernextmorningatrehearsal,andcomplimentedheronherdealing。ShepretendednottounderstandwhatImeant,andonmyexplainingmyselfshehadtheimpudencetotellmethatIwasmistaken。

  InmyangerIturnedmybackonhersaying,\"Youwillbesorryforthissomeday。\"

  Atthisshebegantolaugh,andsaid,\"Well,well,Iconfess!andifyoutellmehowmuchyoulostyoushallhaveitback,andifyoulikeyoushallbeapartnerinthegame。\"

  \"No,thankyou,Irene,Iwillnotbepresentatanymoreofyoursuppers。ButIwarnyoutobecautious;gamesofchancearestrictlyforbidden。\"

  \"Iknowthat,butalltheyoungmenhavepromisedstrictsecrecy。\"

  \"Comeandbreakfastwithmewheneveryoulike。\"

  Afewdayslatershecame,bringingherdaughterwithher。Thegirlwaspretty,andallowedmetocaressher。

  OnedayBaronPittonimetthematmylodgings,andashelikedyounggirlsaswellasIhebeggedIrenetomakeherdaughterincludehiminherlistoffavouredlovers。

  Iadvisedhernottorejecttheoffer,andthebaronfellinlovewithher,whichwasapieceofluckforIrene,asshewasaccusedofplayingunlawfulgames,andwouldhavebeenseverelytreatedifthebaronhadnotgivenherwarning。Whenthepolicepouncedonher,theyfoundnogamingandnogamesters,andnothingcouldbedone。

  IreneleftTriesteatthebeginningofLentwiththecompanytowhichshebelonged。ThreeyearslaterIsawheragainatPadua。Herdaughterhadbecomeacharminggirl,andouracquaintancewasrenewedinthetenderestmanner。

  [ThusabruptlyendtheMemoirsofGiacomeCasanova,ChevalierdeSeingalt,KnightoftheGoldenSpur,ProthonotaryApostolic,andScoundrelCosmopolitic。]

  EndOldAgeandDeathByJacquesCasanovaMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798

  SPANISHPASSIONS,Volume6e——OLDAGEANDDEATH

  THEMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVADESEINGALT

  THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHURMACHENTO

  WHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHURSYMONS。

  OLDAGEANDDEATHOFCASANOVA

  APPENDIXANDSUPPLEMENT

  Whethertheauthordiedbeforetheworkwascomplete,whethertheconcludingvolumesweredestroyedbyhimselforhisliteraryexecutors,orwhethertheMS。fellintobadhands,seemsamatterofuncertainty,andthematerialsavailabletowardsacontinuationoftheMemoirsareextremelyfragmentary。Weknow,however,thatCasanovaatlastsucceededinobtaininghispardonfromtheauthoritiesoftheRepublic,andhereturnedtoVenice,whereheexercisedthehonourableofficeofsecretagentoftheStateInquisitors——inplainlanguage,hebecameaspy。ItseemsthattheKnightoftheGoldenSpurmadearatherindifferent\"agent;\"notsurely,asaFrenchwritersuggests,becausethedirtyworkwastoodirtyforhisfingers,butprobablybecausehewasgettingoldandstupidandout—of—date,andfailedtokeepintouchwithnewformsofturpitude。HeleftVeniceagainandpaidavisittoVienna,sawbelovedParisoncemore,andtheremetCountWallenstein,orWaldstein。Theconversationturnedonmagicandtheoccultsciences,in,whichCasanovawasanadept,asthereaderoftheMemoirswillremember,andthecounttookafancytothecharlatan。InshortCasanovabecamelibrarianatthecount’sCastleofDux,nearTeplitz,andtherehespentthefourteenremainingyearsofhislife。

  AsthePrincedeLigne(fromwhoseMemoirswelearntheseparticulars)

  remarks,Casanova’slifehadbeenastormyandadventurousone,anditmighthavebeenexpectedthathewouldhavefoundhispatron’slibraryapleasantrefugeaftersomanytoilsandtravels。Butthemancarriedroughweatherandstorminhisownheart,andfounddailyopportunitiesofmortificationandresentment。Thecoffeewasillmade,themaccaroninotcookedinthetrueItalianstyle,thedogshadbayedduringthenight,hehadbeenmadetodineatasmalltable,theparishpriesthadtriedtoconverthim,thesouphadbeenservedtoohotonpurposetoannoyhim,hehadnotbeenintroducedtoadistinguishedguest,thecounthadlentabookwithouttellinghim,agroomhadnottakenoffhishat;

  suchwerehiscomplaints。ThefactisCasanovafelthisdependentpositionandhisutterpoverty,andwasallthemoredeterminedtostandtohisdignityasamanwhohadtalkedwithallthecrownedheadsofEurope,andhadfoughtaduelwiththePolishgeneral。Andhehadanotherreasonforfindinglifebitter——hehadlivedbeyondhistime。

  LouisXV。wasdead,andLouisXVI。hadbeenguillotined;theRevolutionhadcome;andCasanova,hisdress,andhismanners,appearedasoddandantiqueassome\"bloodoftheRegency\"wouldappeartousofthesedays。

  Sixtyyearsbefore,Marcel,thefamousdancing—master,hadtaughtyoungCasanovahowtoenteraroomwithalowlyandceremoniousbow;andstill,thoughtheeighteenthcenturyisdrawningtoaclose,oldCasanovaenterstheroomsofDuxwiththesamestatelybow,butnoweveryonelaughs。OldCasanovatreadsthegravemeasuresoftheminuet;theyapplaudedhisdancingonce,butnoweveryonelaughs。YoungCasanovawasalwaysdressedintheheightofthefashion;buttheageofpowder,wigs,velvets,andsilkshasdeparted,andoldCasanova’sattemptsatelegance(\"Strass\"

  diamondshavereplacedthegenuinestoneswithhim)arelikewisegreetedwithlaughter。NowondertheoldadventurerdenouncesthewholehouseofJacobinsandcanaille;theworld,hefeels,ispermanentlyoutofjointforhim;everythingiscross,andeveryoneisinaconspiracytodrivetheironintohissoul。

  Atlastthesepersecutions,realorimaginary,drivehimawayfromDux;

  heconsidershisgeniusbidshimgo,and,asbefore,heobeys。Casanovahasbutlittlepleasureorprofitoutofthishislastjourney;hehastodanceattendanceinante—chambers;noonewillgivehimanyoffice,whetherastutor,librarian,orchamberlain。Inonequarteronlyishewellreceived——namely,bythefamousDukeofWeimar;butinafewdayshebecomesmadlyjealousoftheduke’smorefamousprotegees,GoetheandWieland,andgoesoffdeclaimingagainstthemandGermanliteraturegenerally——withwhichliteraturehewaswhollyunacquainted。FromWeimartoBerlin;wherethereareJewstowhomhehasintroductions。Casanovathinksthemignorant,superstitious,andknavish;buttheylendhimmoney,andhegivesbillsonCountWallenstein,whicharepaid。InsixweeksthewandererreturnstoDux,andiswelcomedwithopenarms;hisjourneysareoveratlast。

  Butnothistroubles。Aweekafterhisreturntherearestrawberriesatdessert;everyoneisservedbeforehimself,andwhentheplatecomesroundtohimitisempty。Worsestill:hisportraitismissingfromhisroom,andisdiscovered’salementplacardealaportedeslieuxd’aisance’!

  Fivemoreyearsofliferemainedtohim。Theywerepassedinsuchpettymortificationsaswehavenarrated,ingrievingoverhis’afreusevieillesse’,andinlamentsovertheconquestofhisnativelandVenice,oncesosplendidandpowerful。Hisappetitebegantofail,andwithitfailedhislastsourceofpleasure,sodeathcametohimsomewhatasarelease。Hereceivedthesacramentswithdevotion,exclaimed,——

  \"GrandDieu,etvoustoustemoinsdemamort,j’aivecuenphilosophe,etjemeursenChretien,\"andsodied。

  Itwasaquietendingtoawonderfullybrilliantandentirelyuselesscareer。IthasbeensuggestedthatiftheageinwhichCasanovalivedhadbeenlesscorrupt,hehimselfmighthaveusedhisallbutuniversaltalentstosomeadvantage,buttoourmindCasanovawouldalwayshaveremainedCasanova。Hecameofafamilyofadventurers,andthereaderofhisMemoirswillremarkhowhecontinuallyruinedhisprospectsbyhisineradicablelovefordisreputablecompany。His\"Bohemianism\"wasinhisblood,andinhisoldageheregrets——nothispastfollies,buthisinabilitytocommitfollyanylonger。NowandagainweareinclinedtopronounceCasanovatobeanamiableman;andiftohisgenerosityandgoodnaturehehadaddedsomeelementaryknowledgeofthedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong,hemightcertainlyhavelaidsomeclaimtothecharacter。ThePrincedeLignedrawsthefollowingportraitofhimunderthenameofAventuros:

  \"Hewouldbeahandsomemanifhewerenotugly;heistallandstronglybuilt,buthisdarkcomplexionandhisglitteringeyesgivehimafierceexpression。Heiseasiertoannoythanamuse;helaughslittlebutmakesotherslaughbythepeculiarturnhegivestohisconversation。Heknowseverythingexceptthosemattersontheknowledgeofwhichhechieflyprideshimself,namely,dancing,theFrenchlanguage,goodtaste,andknowledgeoftheworld。Everythingabouthimiscomic,excepthiscomedies;andallhiswritingsarephilosophical,savingthosewhichtreatofphilosophy。Heisaperfectwellofknowledge,buthequotesHomerandHoraceadnauseam。\"

  SUPPLEMENT

  TO

  THEMEMOIRSOF

  JACQUESCASANOVA

  DESEINGALT

  ContaininganOutlineofCasanova’scareerfromtheyear1774,whenhisownMemoirsabruptlyend,untilhisdeathin1798

  PARTTHEFIRST

  VENICE

  1774—1782

  CASANOVA’SRETURNTOVENICE

  ThusCasanovaendedhisMemoirs,concludinghisnarrativewithhissojournatTrieste,inJanuary1774,wherehehadremained,exceptforafewexcursions,sincethe15thNovember1772。Hewasforty—nineyearsofage。SincehisunfortunateexperiencesinEngland,thelossofhisfortuneandthefailureofhiseffortstoobtaincongenialandremunerativeemploymentinGermanyorRussia,hehadcometoconcentratehiseffortsonareturntohisnativecity。

  Ofhisfaithfulfriends,thenoblesBragadin,BarbaroandDandolo,thefirsthaddiedin1767,havinggoneintodebt\"thatImighthaveenough,\"

  sendingCasanova,fromhisdeath—bed,alastgiftofathousandcrowns。

  Barbarowhohaddiedalso,in1771,leftCasanovaalife—incomeofsixsequinsamonth。Thesurvivor,Dandolo,waspoor,butuntilhisdeath,healsogaveCasanovaamonthlyprovisionofsixsequins。

  However,CasanovawasnotwithoutinfluentialfriendswhomightnotonlyobtainapardonfromtheStateInquisitorsbutalsoassisthimtoemployment;and,infact,itwasthroughsuchinfluenceasthatwieldedbytheAvogadorZaguriandtheProcuratorMorosini,thatCasanovareceivedhispardon,andlater,apositionas\"Confidant,\"orSecretAgent,totheInquisitorsatVenice。

  Casanovare—enteredVenicethe14thSeptember1774and,presentinghimself,onthe18th,toMarc—AntoineBusinello,SecretaryoftheTribunaloftheInquisitorsofState,wasadvisedthatmercyhadbeenaccordedhimbyreasonofhisrefutationoftheHistoryoftheVenetianGovernmentbyAmelotdelaHoussaiewhichhehadwrittenduringhisforty—twodayimprisonmentatBarcelonain1768。ThethreeInquisitors,FrancescoGrimani,FrancescoSagredoandPaoloBembo,invitedhimtodinnertohearhisstoryofhisescapefromTheLeads。

  In1772,Bandiera,theRepublic’sresidentatAncona,drewthisportraitofCasanova:

  \"OneseeseverywherethisunhappyrebelagainstthejusticeoftheAugustCouncil,presentinghimselfboldly,hisheadcarriedhigh,andwellequipped。HeisreceivedinmanyhousesandannounceshisintentionofgoingtoTriesteand,fromthere,ofreturningtoGermany。Heisamanoffortyyearsormore,\"[inreality,forty—seven]\"ofhighstatureandexcellentappearance,vigorous,ofaverybrowncolor,theeyebright,thewigshortandchestnut—brown。Heissaidtobehaughtyanddisdainful;hespeaksatlength,withspiritanderudition。\"[LetterofinformationtotheVeryIllustriousGiovanniZon,SecretaryoftheAugustCouncilofTenatVenice。2October1772。]

  ReturningtoVeniceafteranabsenceofeighteenyears,Casanovarenewedhisacquaintancewithmanyoldfriends,amongwhomwere:

  TheChristineoftheMemoirs。Charles,whomarriedChristine,themarriagebeingarrangedbyCasanovawhileinVenicein1747,wasoffinancialassistancetoCasanova,who\"foundhimatruefriend。\"Charlesdied\"afewmonthsbeforemylastdeparturefromVenice,\"in1783。

  Mlle。X————C————V————,reallyGiustinadeWynne,widowoftheCountRosenberg,AustrianAmbassadoratVenice。\"Fifteenyearsafterwards,I

  sawheragainandshewasawidow,happyenough,apparently,andenjoyingagreatreputationonaccountofherrank,witandsocialqualities,butourconnectionwasneverrenewed。\"

  Callimena,whowaskindtohim\"forlove’ssakealone\"atSorrentoin1770。

  Marcoline,thegirlhetookawayfromhisyoungerbrother,theAbbyCasanova,atGenevain1763。

  FatherBalbi,thecompanionofhisflightfromTheLeads。

  DoctorGozzi,hisformerteacheratPadua,nowbecomeArch—PriestofSt。

  GeorgeoftheValley,andhissisterBetting。\"WhenIwenttopayhimavisit……shebreathedherlastinmyarms,in1776,twenty—fourhoursaftermyarrival。Iwillspeakofherdeathinduetime。\"

  AngelaToselli,hisfirstpassion。In1758thisgirlmarriedtheadvocateFrancescoBarnabaRizzotti,andinthefollowingyearshegavebirthtoadaughter,MariaRizzotti(latermarriedtoaM。Kaiser)wholivedatViennaandwhoseletterstoCasanovawerepreservedatDux。

  C————C————,theyounggirlwhoseloveaffairwithCasanovabecameinvolvedwiththatofthenunM————M————CasanovafoundherinVenice\"awidowandpoorlyoff。\"

  ThedancinggirlBinetti,whoassistedCasanovainhisflightfromStuttgartin1760,whomhemetagaininLondonin1763,andwhowasthecauseofhisduelwithCountBranickiatWarsawin1766。ShedancedfrequentlyatVenicebetween1769and1780。

  ThegoodandindulgentMme。Manzoni,\"ofwhomIshallhavetospeakveryoften。\"

  ThepatriciansAndreaMemmoandhisbrotherBernardowho,withP。ZaguriwerepersonagesofconsiderablestandingintheRepublicandwhoremainedhisconstantfriends。AndreaMemmowasthecauseoftheembarrassmentinwhichMlle。X————C————V————foundherselfinParisandwhichCasanovavainlyendeavoredtoremovebyapplicationsofhisastonishingspecific,the’arophofParacelsus’。

  ItwasatthehouseofthesefriendsthatCasanovabecameacquaintedwiththepoet,LorenzoDaPonte。\"Imadehisacquaintance,\"saysthelatter,inhisownMemoirs,\"atthehouseofZaguriandthehouseofMemmo,whobothsoughtafterhisalwaysinterestingconversation,acceptingfromthismanallhehadofgood,andclosingtheireyes,onaccountofhisgenius,upontheperversepartsofhisnature。\"

  LorenzoDaPonte,knownaboveallasMozart’slibrettist,andwhoseyouthmuchresembledthatofCasanova,wasaccusedofhavingeatenhamonFridayandwasobligedtofleefromVenicein1777,toescapethepunishmentoftheTribunalofBlasphemies。InhisMemoirs,hespeaksunsparinglyofhiscompatriotandyet,asM。Ravanotes,inthenumerouslettershewroteCasanova,andwhichwerepreservedatDux,heproclaimshisfriendshipandadmiration。

  IreneRinaldi,whomhemetagainatPaduain1777,withherdaughterwho\"hadbecomeacharminggirl;andouracquaintancewasrenewedinthetenderestmanner。\"

  Theballet—girlAdelaide,daughterofMme。Soavi,whowasalsoadancer,andofaM。deMarigny。

  Barbara,whoattractedCasanova’sattentionatTrieste,in1773,whilehewasfrequentingafamilynamedLeo,buttowardwhomhehadmaintainedanattitudeofrespect。Thisgirl,onmeetinghimagainin1777,declaredthat\"shehadguessedmyrealfeelingsandhadbeenamusedbymyfoolishrestraint。\"

  AtPesaro,theJewessLeah,withwhomhehadthemostsingularexperiencesatAnconain1772。

  II

  RELATIONSWITHTHEINQUISITORS

  SoonafterreachingVenice,CasanovalearnedthattheLandgraveofHesseCassel,followingtheexampleofotherGermanprinces,wishedaVenetiancorrespondentforhisprivateaffairs。Throughsomeinfluencehebelievedhemightobtainthissmallemployment;butbeforeapplyingforthepositionheappliedtotheSecretaryoftheTribunalforpermission。

  Apparentlynothingcameofthis,andCasanovaobtainednodefiniteemploymentuntil1776。

  Earlyin1776,CasanovaenteredtheserviceoftheTribunalofInquisitorsasan\"occasionalConfidant,\"underthefictitiousnameofAntonioPratiloni,givinghisaddressas\"attheCasinoofS。E。MarcoDandolo。\"

  InOctober1780,hisappointmentwasmoredefinitelyestablishedandhewasgivenasalaryoffifteenducatsamonth。This,withthesixsequinsoflife—incomeleftbyBarbaroandthesixgivenbyDandolo,gavehimamonthlyincomeofthreehundredandeighty—fourlires——aboutseventy—fourU。S。dollars——from1780untilhisbreakwiththeTribunalattheendof1781。

  IntheArchivesofVenicearepreservedforty—eightlettersfromCasanova,includingtheReportshewroteasa\"Confidant,\"allinthesamehandwritingasthemanuscriptoftheMemoirs。TheReportsmaybedividedintotwoclasses:thosereferringtocommercialorindustrialmatters,andthosereferringtothepublicmorals。

  Amongthoseofthefirstclass,wefind:

  AReportrelatingtoCasanova’ssuccessinhavingachangemadeintherouteoftheweeklydiligencerunningfromTriestetoMestre,forwhichservice,renderedduringCasanova’sresidenceatTriestein1773,hereceivedencouragementandthesumofonehundredducatsfromtheTribunal。

  AReport,the8thSeptember1776,withinformationconcerningtherumoredprojectofthefutureEmperorofAustriatoinvadeDalmatiaafterthedeathofMariaTheresa。CasanovastatedhehadreceivedthisinformationfromaFrenchman,M。SalzdeChalabre,whomhehadknowninParistwentyyearsbefore。ThisM。Chalabre[printedCalabre]wasthepretendednephewofMme。Amelin。\"Thisyoungmanwasaslikeherastwodropsofwater,butshedidnotfindthatasufficientreasonforavowingherselfhismother。\"Theboywas,infact,thesonofMme。AmelinandofM。deChalabre,whohadlivedtogetherforalongtime。

  AReport,the12thofDecember1776,ofasecretmissiontoTrieste,inregardtoaprojectofthecourtofViennaformakingFiumeaFrenchport;theobjectbeingtofacilitatecommunicationsbetweenthisportandtheinteriorofHungary。Forthisinquiry,Casanovareceivedsixteenhundredlires,hisexpendituresamountingtosevenhundredandsixty—sixlires。

  AReport,May—July1779,ofanexcursioninthemarketofAnconaforinformationconcerningthecommercialrelationsofthePontificalStateswiththeRepublicofVenice。AtForli,inthecourseofthisexcursion,Casanovavisitedthedancing—girlBinetti。ForthismissionCasanovareceivedforty—eightsequins。

  AReport,January1780,remarkingaclandestinerecruitingcarriedoutbyacertainMarrazzaniforthe[Prussian]regimentofZarembal。

  AReport,the11thOctober1781,regardingaso—calledBaldassareRossetti,aVenetiansubjectlivingatTrieste,whoseactivitiesandprojectswereofanaturetoprejudicethecommerceandindustryoftheRepublic。

  AmongtheReportsrelatingtopublicmoralsmaybenoted:

  December1776。AReportontheseditiouscharacterofaballetcalled\"Coriolanus。\"Thebackofthisreportisinscribed:\"TheimpressarioofS。Benedetto,Mickeldel’Agata,shallbesummonedimmediately;ithasbeenorderedthathecease,underpenaltyofhislife,fromgivingtheballetCoriolanusatthetheater。Further,heistocollectanddepositalltheprintedprogrammesofthisballet。\"

  December1780。AReportcallingtotheattentionoftheTribunalthescandalousdisordersproducedinthetheaterswhenthelightswereextinguished。

  3rdMay1781。AReportremarkingthattheAbbECarloGrimanibelievedhimselfexempt,inhispositionasapriest,fromtheinterdictionlaidonpatriciansagainstfrequentingforeignministersandtheirsuites。OnthebackofthisReportiswritten:\"SerJeanCarlo,AbbeGrimani,tobegentlyreminded,bytheSecretary,oftheinjunctiontoabstainfromallcommercewithforeignministersandtheiradherents\"

  Venetiannobleswereforbiddenunderpenaltyofdeathfromholdinganycommunicationwithforeignambassadorsortheirhouseholds。ThiswasintendedasaprecautiontopreservethesecretsoftheSenate。

  26thNovember1781。AReportconcerningapaintingacademywherenudestudiesweremade,frommodelsofbothsexes,whilescholarsonlytwelveorthirteenyearsofagewereadmitted,andwheredilettanteswhowereneitherpaintersnordesigners,attendedthesessions。

  22ndDecember1781。Byorder,CasanovareportedtotheTribunalalistoftheprincipallicentiousorantireligiousbookstobefoundinthelibrariesandprivatecollectionsatVenice:laPucelle;laPhilosophiedel’Histoire;L’Espritd’Helvetius;laSainteChandelled’Arras;lesBijouxindiscrets;lePortierdesChartreux;lesPosiesdeBaffo;OdeaPriape;dePiron;etc。,etc。

  InconsideringthisReport,whichhasbeenthesubjectofviolentcriticism,weshouldbearinmindthreepoints:

  first——theInquisitorsrequiredthisinformation;second——nooneintheiremploycouldhavebeeninabetterpositiontogiveitthanCasanova;

  third——Casanovawasmorallyandeconomicallybound,asanemployeeoftheTribunal,tofurnishtheinformationordered,whateverhispersonaldistastefortheundertakingmayhavebeen。Wemayevenassumethathepermittedhimselftoexpresshisfeelingsinsomeindiscreetway,andhisbreakwiththeTribunalfollowed,for,attheendof1781,hiscommissionwaswithdrawn。Certainly,Casanova’salmostabsolutedependenceonhissalary,influencedtheletterhewrotetheInquisitorsatthistime。

  \"TotheIllustriousandMostExcellentLords,theInquisitorsofState:

  \"Filledwithconfusion,overwhelmedwithsorrowandrepentance,recognizingmyselfabsolutelyunworthyofaddressingmyvilelettertoYourExcellenciesconfessingthatIhavefailedinmydutyintheopportunitieswhichpresentedthemselves,I,JacquesCasanova,invoke,onmyknees,themercyofthePrince;Ibegthat,incompassionandgrace,theremaybeaccordedmethatwhich,inalljusticeandonreflection,mayberefusedme。

  \"IasktheSovereignMunificencetocometomyaid,sothat,withthemeansofsubsistence,Imayapplymyselfvigorously,inthefuture,totheservicetowhichIhavebeenprivileged。

  \"Afterthisrespectfulsupplication,thewisdomofYourExcellenciesmayjudgethedispositionofmyspiritandofmyintentions。

  TheInquisitorsdecidedtoawardCasanovaonemonth’spay,butspecifiedthatthereafterhewouldreceivesalaryonlywhenherenderedimportantservices。

  In1782CasanovamadeafewmoreReportstotheTribunal,foroneofwhich,regardingthefailureofaninsuranceandcommercialhouseatTrieste,hereceivedsixsequins。Butthepartofaguardianofthepublicmorals,eventhroughnecessity,wasundoubtedlyunpleasanttohim;

  and,inspiteofthefinancialloss,itmaybethathisreleasewasarelief。

  III

  FRANCESCABUSCHINI

  IntimatelyconnectedwithCasanova’slifeatthisperiodwasagirlnamedFrancescaBuschini。Thisnamedoesnotappearinanyoftheliterary,artisticortheatricalrecordsoftheperiod,and,ofthegirl,nothingisknownotherthanthatwhichsheherselftellsusinherletterstoCasanova。Fromtheseveryhumanletters,however,wemayobtain,notonlycertainfacts,butalso,averyexcellentideaofhercharacter。

  Thirty—twoofherletters,datedbetweenJuly1779andOctober1787,writtenintheVenetiandialect,werepreservedinthelibraryatDux。

  Shewasaseamstress,althoughoftenwithoutwork,andhadabrother,ayoungersisterandalsoamotherlivingwithher。Theprobabilitiesarethatshewasagirlofthemostusualsort,butgreatlyattachedtoCasanovawho,eveninhispoverty,musthavedazzledherasabeingfromanotherworld。ShewashislastVenetianlove,andremainedafaithfulcorrespondentuntil1787;anditischieflyfromherletters,inwhichshecommentsonnewscontainedinCasanova’sletterstoher,thatlightisthrownontheVienna—Parisperiod,particularly,ofCasanova’slife。

  Forthis,Francescahasplacedusgreatlyinherdebt。

  Withthisgirl,atleastbetween1779and1782,CasanovarentedasmallhouseatBarbariadelleTole,nearS。Giustina,fromthenoblePesaroatS。Stae。Casanova,alwaysindemandforhiswitandlearning,oftentookdinnerinthecity。HeknewthataplacealwaysawaitedhimatthehouseofMemmoandatthatofZaguriandthat,atthetableofthesepatricians,whoweredistinguishedbytheirintellectualsuperiority,hewouldmeetmennotableinscienceandletters。Beingsolongandsocloselyconnectedwiththeatricalcircles,hewasoftenseenatthetheater,withFrancesca。Thus,the9thAugust1786,thepoorgirl,inanexcessofchagrinwrites:\"Whereareallthepleasureswhichformerlyyouprocuredme?Wherearethetheatres,thecomedieswhichweoncesawtogether?\"

  Onthe28thJuly1779,Francescawrote:

  \"Dearestandbestbeloved,\"……Inthewayofnovelties,IfindnothingexceptthatS。E。

  PietroZagurihasarrivedatVenice;hisservanthasbeentwicetoaskforyou,andIhavesaidyouwerestillattheBathsofAbano……\"

  TheCasanova—Buschiniestablishmentkeptuprelations,moreorlessfrequentandintimate,withafewpersons,mostofwhomarementionedinFrancesca’sletters;theSignoraAnzolettaRizzotti;theSignoraElisabethCatrolli,anancientcomedienne;theSignoraBepaPezzana;theSignoraZenobiadeMonti,possiblythemotherofthatCarlodeMonti,VenetianConsulatTrieste,whowasafriendtoCasanovaandcertainlycontributedtowardobtaininghispardonfromtheInquisitors;

  aM。Lunel,masteroflanguages,andhiswife。

  IV

  PUBLICATIONS

  Casanova’sprincipalwritingsduringthisperiodwere:

  HistranslationoftheIliad,thefirstvolumeofwhichwasissuedin1775,thesecondin1777andthethirdin1778。

  DuringhisstayatAbanoin1778,hewrotetheScrutiniodellibro,eulogiesofM。deVoltaire\"byvarioushands。\"Inthededicationofthisbook,totheDogeRenier,hewrote,\"Thislittlebookhasrecentlycomefrommyinexperiencedpen,inthehoursofleisurewhicharefrequentatAbanoforthosewhodonotcomeonlyforthebaths。\"

  >FromJanuaryuntilJuly1780,hepublished,anonymously,aseriesofmiscellaneoussmallworks,sevenpamphletsofaboutonehundredpageseach,distributedatirregularintervalstosubscribers。

  >Fromthe7thOctobertotheendofDecember,1780,ontheoccasionsoftherepresentationsgivenbyatroupeofFrenchcomediansattheSanAngelotheater,CasanovawrotealittlepapercalledTheMessengerofThalia。Inoneofthenumbers,hewrote:

  \"Frenchisnotmytongue;Imakenopretentionsand,wrongorastray,I

  placeonthepaperwhatheavensendsfrommypen。IgivebirthtophrasesturnedtoItalian,eithertoseewhattheylooklikeortoproduceastyle,andoften,also,todraw,intoapurist’ssnare,somecriticaldoctorwhodoesnotknowmyhumororhowmyoffenseamusesme。\"

  The\"littleromance\"referredtointhefollowingletterto\"Mlle。X————

  C————V————,\"appearedin1782,withthetitle;’DianecdotivinizanimilitariaamorosidelsecolodecimoquartosottoidogatidiGiovanniGradenigoediGiovanniDolfin’。Venezia,1782。

  V

  MLLE。X……C……V……

  In1782,aletterwrittenbythislady,GiustinadeWynne,referringtoavisittoVeniceofPaulI,GrandDuke,afterwardEmperorofRussia,andhiswife,waspublishedunderthetitleofDusejourdesComptesduNordaVeniseenjanviermdcclxxxii。Ifhehadnotpreviouslydoneso,Casanovatookthisoccasiontorecallhimselftothememoryofthisladytowhomhehadoncebeenofsuchgreatservice。Andtwoverypoliteletterswereexchanged:

  \"Madam,\"ThefineepistlewhichV。E。hasallowedtobeprinteduponthesojournofC。andoftheC。duNordinthiscity,exposesyou,inthepositionofanauthor,toendurethecomplimentsofallthosewhotroublethemselvestowrite。ButIflattermyself,Madam,thatV。E。willnotdisdainmine。

  \"Thelittleromance,Madam,atranslationfrommydullandrigidpen,isnotagiftbutaverypaltryofferingwhichIdaremaketothesuperiorityofyourmerit。

  \"Ihavefound,Madam,inyourletter,thesimple,flowingstyleofgentility,theonewhichaloneawomanofconditionwhowritestoherfriendmayusewithdignity。Yourdigressionsandyourthoughtsareflowerswhich……(forgiveanauthorwhopilfersfromyouthedeliciousnonchalanceofanamiablewriter)or……awill—o’—the—wispwhich,fromtimetotime,issuesfromthework,inspiteoftheauthor,andburnsthepaper。

  \"Iaspire,Madam,torendermyselffavorabletothedeitytowhichreasonadvisesmetomakehomage。Acceptthentheofferingandrenderhappyhewhomakesitwithyourindulgence。

  \"Ihavethehonortosignmyself,ifyouwillkindlypermitme,withveryprofoundrespect。

  GiacomoCasanova。\"

  \"Monsieur\"Iamverysensible,Monsieur,ofthedistinctionwhichcomestomefromyourapprobationofmylittlepamphlet。Theinterestofthemoment,itsreferencesandtheexaltationofspiritshavegainedforitthetoleranceandfavorablewelcomeofthegoodVenetians。Itistoyourpolitenessinparticular,Monsieur,thatIbelieveisduethemarkedsuccesswhichmyworkhashadwithyou。IthankyouforthebookwhichyousentmeandI

  willriskthankingyouinadvanceforthepleasureitwillgiveme。Bepersuadedofmyesteemforyourselfandforyourtalents。AndIhavethehonortobe,Monsieur。

  YourveryhumbleservantdeWynnedeRosemberg。\"

  AmongCasanova’spapersatDuxwasapageheaded\"Souvenir,\"datedthe2ndSeptember1791,andbeginning:\"Whiledescendingthestaircase,thePrincedeRosembergtoldmethatMadamedeRosembergwasdead……

  ThisPrincedeRosembergwasthenephewofGiustina。\"

  Giustinadied,afteralongillness,atPadua,the21stAugust1791,attheageoffifty—fouryearsandsevenmonths。

  VI

  LASTDAYSATVENICE

  Towardtheendof1782,doubtlessconvincedthathecouldexpectnothingmorefromtheTribunal,CasanovaenteredtheserviceoftheMarquisSpinolaasasecretary。Someyearsbefore,acertainCarletti,anofficerintheserviceofthecourtofTurin,hadwonfromtheMarquisawageroftwohundredandfiftysequins。Theexistenceofthisdebtseemedtohavecompletelydisappearedfromthememoryoftheloser。Bymeansofthefirmpromiseofapecuniaryrecompense,CasanovaintervenedtoobtainfromhispatronawrittenacknowledgmentofthedebtowingtoCarletti。Hiseffortwassuccessful;butinsteadofclinkingcash,Carletticontentedhimselfwithremittingtothenegotiatoranassignmentontheamountofthecredit。Casanova’sangercausedaviolentdispute,inthecourseofwhichCarloGrimani,atwhosehousethescenetookplace,placedhiminthewrongandimposedsilence。

  TheirascibleGiacomoconceivedaquickresentment。Todischargehisbile,hefoundnothinglessthantopublishinthecourseofthemonthofAugust,underthetitleof:’NeamorinedonneovverolaStallad’Angiarepulita’,alibelinwhichJeanCarloGrimani,Carletti,andothernotablepersonswereoutragedundertransparentmythologicalpseudonyms。

  ThiswritingembroiledtheauthorwiththeentirebodyoftheVenetiannobility。

  Toallowtheindignationagainsthimtoquietdown,CasanovawenttopasssomedaysatTrieste,thenreturnedtoVenicetoputhisaffairsinorder。Theideaofrecommencinghiswanderinglifealarmedhim。\"Ihavelivedfifty—eightyears,\"hewrote,\"Icouldnotgoonfootwithwinterathand,andwhenIthinkofstartingontheroadtoresumemyadventurouslife,Ilaughatmyselfinthemirror。\"

  PARTTHESECOND

  VIENNA—PARIS

  I

  1783—1785

  TRAVELSIN1783

  CasanovaleftVeniceinJanuary1783,andwenttoVienna。

  Onthe16thAprilElisabethCatrolliwrotetohimatVienna:

  \"Dearestoffriends,\"Yourletterhasgivenmegreatpleasure。Beassured,Iinfinitelyregretyourdeparture。Ihavebuttwosincerefriends,yourselfandCamerani。Idonothopeformore。IcouldbehappyifIcouldhaveatleastoneofyounearmetowhom1couldconfidemycruelanxieties。

  \"To—day,IreceivedfromCameranialetterinformingmethat,inaformerone,hehadsentmeabillofexchange:Ididnotreceiveit,andIfearithasbeenlost。

  \"Dearfriend,whenyoureachParis,clasphimtoyourheartforme……InregardtoChechina[FrancescaBuschini]IwouldsaythatIhavenotseenhersincethedayItookheryourletter。Hermotheristheruinofthatpoorgirl;letthatsuffice;Iwillsaynomore……\"

  AfterleavingVenice,CasanovaapparentlytookanopportunitytopayhislastdisrespectstotheTribunal。Atleast,inMay1783,M。Schlick,FrenchSecretaryatVenice,wrotetoCountVergennes:\"LastweektherereachedtheStateInquisitorsananonymousletterstatingthat,onthe25thofthismonth,anearthquake,moreterriblethanthatofMessina,wouldrazeVenicetotheground。Thisletterhascausedapanichere。

  Manypatricianshaveleftthecapitalandotherswillfollowtheirexample。Theauthoroftheanonymousletter……isacertainCasanova,whowrotefromViennaandfoundmeanstoslipitintotheAmbassador’sownmails。\"

  Inaboutfourmonths,CasanovawasagainonthewaytoItaly。HepausedforaweekatUdineandarrivedatVeniceonthe16thJune。Withoutleavinghisbarge,hepausedathishousejustlongenoughtosaluteFrancesca。HeleftMestreonTuesdaythe24thJuneandonthesamedaydinedatthehouseofF。ZanuzziatBassano。Onthe25thheleftBassanobypostandarrivedintheeveningatBorgodiValsugano。

  Onthe29th,hewrotetoFrancescafromtheAugsbourg。HehadstoppedatInnsbrucktoattendthetheaterandwasinperfecthealth。HehadreachedFrankfortinforty—eighthours,travelingeighteenpostswithoutstopping。

  >FromAix—la—Chapelle,onthe16thJuly,hewroteFrancescathathehadmet,inthatcity,Cattina,thewifeofPocchini。Pocchiniwassickandindeepmisery。Casanova,recallingalltheabominabletricksthisroguehadplayedonhimrefusedCattinatheassistanceshebeggedforintears,laughedinherface,andsaid:\"Farewell,Iwishyouapleasantdeath。\"

  AtMayence,CasanovaembarkedontheRhineincompanywiththeMarquisDurazzo,formerAustrianAmbassadoratVenice。ThevoyagewasexcellentandintwodayshearrivedatCologne,inruggedhealth,sleepingwellandeatinglikeawolf。

  Onthe3othJulyhewrotetoFrancescafromSpaandinthisletterenclosedagoodcoin。EverythingwasdearatSpa;hisroomcosteightliresadaywitheverythingelseinproportion。

  Onthe6thSeptemberhewrotefromAntwerptooneofhisgoodfriends,theAbbeEusebiodellaLena,tellinghimthatatSpaanEnglishwomanwhohadapassionforspeakingLatinwishedtosubmithimtotrialswhichhejudgeditunnecessarytostateprecisely。Herefusedallherproposals,saying,however,thathewouldnotrevealthemtoanyone;butthathedidnotfeelheshouldrefusealso\"anorderonherbankerfortwenty—fiveguineas。\"

  Onthe9thhewrotetoFrancescafromBrussels,andonthe12thhesentherabillofexchangeonthebankerCorradoforonehundredandfiftylires。Hesaidhehadbeenintoxicated\"becausehisreputationhadrequiredit。\"\"Thisgreatlyastonishesme,\"Francescaresponded,\"forI

  haveneverseenyouintoxicatednorevenilluminated……Iamveryhappythatthewinedroveawaytheinflammationinyourteeth。\"

  PracticallyallinformationofCasanova’smovementsin1783and1784isobtainedfromFrancesca’sletterswhichwereinthelibraryatDux。

  Inherlettersofthe27thJuneand11thJuly,FrancescawroteCasanovathatshehaddirectedtheJewAbrahamtosellCasanova’ssatinhabitandvelvetbreeches,butcouldnothopeformorethanfiftyliresbecausetheywerepatched。AbrahamhadobservedthatatonetimethehabithadbeenplacedinpledgewithhimbyCasanovaforthreesequins。

  Onthe6thSeptember,shewrote:

  \"Withgreatpleasure,IreplytothethreedearletterswhichyouwrotemefromSpa:thefirstofthe6thAugust,fromwhichIlearnedthatyourdeparturehadbeendelayedforsomedaystowaitforsomeonewhowastoarriveinthatcity。Iwashappythatyourappetitehadreturned,becausegoodcheerisyourgreatestpleasure……

  \"InyoursecondletterwhichyouwrotemefromSpaonthe16thAugust,I

  notedwithsorrowthatyouraffairswerenotgoingasyouwished。Butconsoleyourself,dearfriend,forhappinesswillcomeaftertrouble;atleast,Iwishitso,also,foryouyourselfcanimagineinwhatneedI

  findmyself,Iandallmyfamily……Ihavenowork,becauseI

  havenotthecouragetoaskitofanyone。MymotherhasnotearnedevenenoughtopayforthegoldthreadwiththelittlecrosswhichyouknowI

  love。Necessitymademesellit。

  \"Ireceivedyourlastletterofthe20thAugustfromSpawithanotherletterforS。E。theProcuratorMorosini。Youdirectedmetotakeittohimmyself,andonSundaythelastdayofAugust,Ididnotfailtogothereexactlyatthreeo’clock。Atonceonmyarrival,Ispoketoaservantwhoadmittedmewithoutdelay;but,mydearfriend,Iregrethavingtosendyouanunpleasantmessage。AssoonasIhandedhimtheletter,andbeforeheevenopenedit,hesaidtome,’IalwaysknowCasanova’saffairswhichtroubleme。’Afterhavingreadhardlymorethanapage,hesaid:’Iknownotwhattodo!’Itoldhimthat,onthe6thofthismonth,IwastowriteyouatParisandthat,ifhewoulddomethehonorofgivingmehisreply,Iwouldputitinmyletter。Imaginewhatanswerhegaveme!Iwasmuchsurprised!HetoldmethatIshouldwishyouhappinessbutthathewouldnotwritetoyouagain。Hesaidnomore。

  Ikissedhishandsandleft。Hedidnotgivemeevenasou。Thatisallhesaidtome……

  \"S。E。PietroZagurisenttometoaskifIknewwhereyouwere,becausehehadwrittentwoletterstoSpaandhadreceivednoreply……\"

  II

  PARIS

  Onthenightofthe18thor19thSeptember1783,CasanovaarrivedatParis。

  Onthe30thhewroteFrancescathathehadbeenwellreceivedbyhissister—in—lawandbyhisbrother,FrancescoCasanova,thepainter。

  Nearlyallhisfriendshaddepartedfortheotherworld,andhewouldnowhavetomakenewones,whichwouldbedifficultashewasnolongerpleasingtothewomen。

  Onthe14thOctoberhewroteagain,sayingthathewasingoodhealthandthatPariswasaparadisewhichmadehimfeeltwentyyearsold。Fourlettersfollowed;inthefirst,datedfromParisonS。Martin’sDay,hetoldFrancesconottoreplyforhedidnotknowwhetherhewouldprolonghisvisitnorwherehemightgo。FindingnofortuneinParis,hesaidhewouldgoandsearchelsewhere。Onthe23rd,hesentonehundredandfiftylires;\"atrueblessing,\"tothepoorgirlwhowasalwaysshortofmoney。

  Betweentimes,CasanovapassedeightdaysatFontainebleau,wherehemet\"acharmingyoungmanoftwenty—five,\"thesonof\"theyoungandlovelyO’Morphi\"whoindirectlyowedtohimherposition,in1752,asthemistressofLouisXV。\"Iwrotemynameonhistabletsandbeggedhimtopresentmycomplimentstohismother。\"

  Healsomet,inthesameplace,hisownsonbyMme。Dubois,hisformerhousekeeperatSoleurewhohadmarriedthegoodM。Lebel。\"Weshallhearoftheyounggentlemanintwenty—oneyearsatFontainebleau。\"

  \"WhenIpaidmythirdvisittoParis,withtheintentionofendingmydaysinthatcapital,IreckonedonthefriendshipofM。d’Alembert,buthedied,like,Fontenelle,afortnightaftermyarrival,towardtheendof1783。\"

  Itisinterestingtoknowthat,atthistime,Casanovamethisfamouscontemporary,BenjaminFranklin。\"Afewdaysafterthedeathoftheillustriousd’Alembert,\"Casanovaassisted,attheoldLouvre,inasessionoftheAcademiedesInscriptionsetBelles—Lettres。\"SeatedbesidethelearnedFranklin,IwasalittlesurprisedtohearCondorcetaskhimifhebelievedthatonecouldgivevariousdirectionstoanairballoon。Thiswastheresponse:’Thematterisstillinitsinfancy,sowemustwait。’Iwassurprised。Itisnotbelievablethatthegreatphilosophercouldignorethefactthatitwouldbeimpossibletogivethemachineanyotherdirectionthanthatgovernedbytheairwhichfillsit,butthesepeople’niltamverentur,quamnedubitarealiquaderevideantur。\"

  Onthe13thNovember,CasanovaleftParisincompanywithhisbrother,Francesco,whosewifedidnotaccompanyhim。\"HisnewwifedrovehimawayfromParis。\"

  \"Now[1797or1798]IfeelthatIhaveseenParisandFranceforthelasttime。Thatpopulareffervescence[theFrenchRevolution]hasdisgustedmeandIamtoooldtohopetoseetheendofit。\"

  III

  VIENNA

  Onthe29thNovember,CasanovawrotefromFrankfortthatadrunkenpostillonhadupsethimandinthefallhehaddislocatedhisleftshoulder,butthatagoodbone—setterhadrestoredittoplace。Onthe1stDecemberhewrotethathewashealed,havingtakenmedicineandhavingbeenblooded。HepromisedtosendFrancescaeightsequinstopayherrent。HereachedViennaaboutthe7thofDecemberandonthe15thsentFrancescdabillofexchangeforeightsequinsandtwolires。

  Onthelastdayof1783,FrancescawrotetohimatVienna:

  \"IseebyyourgoodletterthatyouwillgotoDresdenandthentoBerlinandthatyouwillreturntoViennathe10thJanuary……

  Iamastonished,mydearfriend,atthegreatjourneysyoumakeinthiscoldweather,but,still,youareagreatman,big—hearted,fullofspiritandcourage;youtravelinthisterriblecoldasthoughitwerenothing……\"

  Onthe9thJanuary,CasanovawrotefromDessautohisbrotherGiovanni,proposingtomakepeacewithhim,butwithoutresults。Onthe27th,hewasatPrague。Bythe16thFebruary,hewasagaininVienna,afteratriplastingsixty—twodays。Hishealthwasperfect,andhehadgainedfleshdue,ashewroteFrancesca,tohiscontentedmindwhichwasnolongertormented。

  InFebruary,heenteredtheserviceofM。Foscarini,VenetianAmbassador,\"towritedispatches。\"

  Onthe10thMarch,Francescawrote:

  \"DearestofFriends,Ireplyatoncetoyourgoodletterofthe28thFebruarywhichIreceivedSunday……Ithankyouforyourkindnesswhichmakesyousaythatyoulovemeandthatwhenyouhavemoneyyouwillsendmesome……butthatatthemomentyouaredryasasalamander。Idonotknowwhatsortofanimalthatis。ButasformeIamcertainlydryofmoneyandIamconsumedwiththehopeofhavingsome……IseethatyouwereamusedattheCarnivalandthatyouwerefourtimesatthemaskedball,wherethereweretwohundredwomen,andthatyoudancedminuetsandquadrillestothegreatastonishmentoftheambassadorFoscariniwhotoldeveryonethatyouweresixtyyearsold,althoughinrealityyouhavenotyetreachedyoursixtiethyear。Youmightwelllaughatthatandsaythathemustbeblindtohavesuchanidea。

  \"Iseethatyouassisted,withyourbrother,atagranddinnerattheAmbassador’s

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