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？"