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？"