of Masaniello, his wife, his sisters, his kindred; Amongst other wealthy merchants he had sent to one of his acquaintance for a mere fool, was all on a sudden , being all made prisoners, were brought up to the Gasper Roomer, a rich Fleming, who, to prevent the firing seen to act and to speak as if he had been conversant in castle. And because his brother Matteo was gone to Be- of his house, sent 12,000 crowns to Masanicllo, and then politics, and the management of public affairs. And innevento with more company, to take, as it was given out, retired to a house four miles out of the city, at a place deed, with how much wisdom did he not make and main. the Duke of Mataloni, there were armed bands despatch-called La Barra, carrying with him all his best moveables tain, in the very heat of the commotions, the most useful ed thither to apprehend him, and conduct him to Naples; and goods he had in Naples. To this merchant he again orders and regulations that the wisest legislators and the which was done, and he was committed to the castle; sent Savino Converso, of the Carmine, a great confident most experienced generals could ever be capable of? With though afterwards, to please the people, he and others of his, the same Tuesday, the day that he was slain, what art and address did he not insinuate himself into were set at liberty. There were armed bands sent also with an order in writing, at sight whereof he was to con- the hearts of so many thousands of men, by far his to the market-placé, to restrain the people, and guard the sign unto him 5000 zechins for the service of his catholic superiors, encouraging the fearful, extolling the bold, regoods that were there deposited. majesty, since he had grown so rich out of good bargains preaching the coward, and most pathetically describing These good orders being given, the viceroy was exhort- he had from the viceroys from time to time. Roomer to all the miserable state of their country, groaning uned by the archbishop, and by all the nobility and ministers, could not tell how to avoid the complying with his desire, der the heavy exactions of proud and avaricious ministers, to show himself publicly up and down the streets; where- and obey them; so he delivered so much gold in ready and animating them to revenge and redress themselves! upon he, mounted on horseback, accompanied by his money to the messenger, who, leaving a receipt behind Cardinal Filomarino, archbishop of Naples, acknow. eminence, and attended by all the counsellors, ministers, him, and returning to Naples, understood, as he passed a ledged, that in the several conferences he had with him officers, nobility and gentry, with all the tribunals, and little church near the Carmine, what had happened to relative to the treaty of accommodation, he had often being well guarded with horse and infantry, they went Masaniello. He then embarked himself in a felucca, and been amazed at the solidity of his judgment, and the to the chief church, to give God thanks, and the most went away with the money to Rome; but the merchant subtilty of his contrivances. In short, let us but reflect glorious protector of Naples, St. Gennarro, whose holy sent spies up and down to find him out; and at last, by the upon the greatness of that enterprise which he projected, head and blood were taken out and placed upon the high help of those of his order, for he was a friar, he got no- and executed for the good of his country: that indefatialtar, where extraordinary thanks were given for the tice where he was, and recovered much of his money. gable assiduity with which he applied himself to it, which tranquillity which was re-obtained by the death of so That Tuesday, in the evening, as already mentioned, robbed him of the hours of nourishment and repose, and base a fellow, who, by the secret judgments of God, had was brought to Naples the brother of the said Masaniello, made him dictate to seven secretaries all at one time: made himself so formidable that he terrified the whole and committed prisoner to the castle, together with his that just severity, which obliging him to put so many city. mother. As they passed, all cried out, "Room, room for persons to death, never exerted itself on any whose crimes From the church the cavalcade proceeded to the market- the Lady Duchess of Sarda!" With the brother of Ma- had not deserved it: but, above all, that noble and gener place, where the viceroy,did again, by sound of trumpet, saniello were brought four heads of his companions, who ous disinterestedness, which kept him poor in the midst confirm the privileges granted by Charles V., together would not yield themselves, but make resistance with of such vast heaps of wealth; and we shall be apt to conwith the capitulations. He was received with extreme musket-shot, and nine were taken alive; the rest were clude with a certain Neapolitan gentleman, "that Mademonstrations of joy by all the people, who loudly cried mortally wounded, or put to flight. saniello seems to have been endowed with no other out, “Let the king live! live the Duke of Arcos!" and qualifications, but such as were necessary for the execu others added, "Let Filomarino live, the restorer of his tion of the divine vengeance." country's peace!" They also gave thanks to the Lady of Carmine; then returned to the castle very joy ful, and afterwards every one went to his own home.

Thus rose and fell Masaniello of Amalphi, and in the manner which he himself seemed to have anticipated, and to which he alluded at the commencement of the re- But it is not just, that these reflections should make us volution, when going up the market-place; namely, that leave the head and the body of Masaniello unburied and what he did was for the public benefit of the city, and asunder; and, after having exposed the ingratitude of The shops were now suddenly opened, the Spanish sol- that, when he had finished the work, he might be slain the people, in forsaking their great deliverer, it is but readiers stood their arms again, the guards dispersed up and and dragged up and down the streets of Naples. And so sonable, that we should also take notice of the sorrow and down returned to their former posts, and that in the castle it happened right; for having confirmed the interests of repentance which they expressed for it, by the pompous was redoubled with Walloons. Every one with rever. the city upon Saturday, and caused their privileges and obsequies with which they honoured his remains. The ence submitted to the viceroy, to whose prudence, pati. the confirmation of them to be subscribed and sworn to day immediately following that of his death, several ence, and dexterity, joined with the vigilance and inde by the viceroy and all the councils, he was the third day children, at the persuasion of some persons who told them fatigable assistance of the archbishop, the preservation of after assassinated, and dragged up and down the streets; "it was a shame that the corpse of him who had done that city may be attributed. Indeed, if that prelate had his head thrown into a ditch called the corn-ditch, and so much for the good of his country, should be thus ex. not strongly and industriously interposed in the business, his body cast into another, between the gates of Nolana posed to the dogs," went and fetched his body, and after the whole city would have been destroyed with fire and and Capoana.* they had washed and cleaned it well, carried it on a bier sword. This appears from a letter written by a Neapo- All antiquity cannot furnish us with such another ex-to the cathedral church of Carmine. At the same time, litan cavalier, one of the greatest patriots of the city, to ample as his; and after-ages will hardly believe what a young man, living in the market-place, called Jeronymo one of his friends resident at Rome, wherein also there is height of power this ridiculous sovereign arrived to, who, Donneruma, went with a company of men, all armed, to a relation made, how St. Gennarro, the protector and pa- trampling barefoot on a throne, and wearing a mariner's look for his head in the corn-ditch; and having found it, tron of Naples, appeared, which prognosticated peace, cap instead of a diadem, in the space of a few days raised he brought it along with him to the same place where tranquillity and happiness, to the Neapolitan people. an army of above 150,000 men, and made himself master the body was, in order to have them joined together. On account of the treaty, many nobles and cavaliers of one of the most populous cities in the world. And, This being done, it was resolved, in a general assembly were seen passing every day along the streets to the cas- as if fortune, that capricious jilt, had taken delight in of the people, who were gathered together on purpose, tle in their coaches, showing themselves to the people, raising a fisherman above the greatest monarch, she not "that Masaniello deserved to receive the greatest honours, from whose sight they had carefully kept themselves be- only submitted to his empire that innumerable rabble that as head and captain-general of Naples ;" and, according. fore. The ladies also appeared in their former dresses, always followed him, but even that ancient and generously, his corpse, preceded by five hundred priests and rewhich formerly they durst not do, by reason of Masaniel- Neapolitan nobility itself, whose immortal exploits have ligieuse, and followed by 40,000 armed men, and almost lo's order to the contrary; yet they moderated their ex-filled the whole universe with their fame. In short, it as many women with beads in their hands, was carried penses and train, especially those who were used to gain may be averred without contradiction, that, neither the through several of the most public streets of the city, by the gabels. most formidable tyrants, nor the princes the most be- with all the solemnities that are commonly used at the The head and foot of Don Peppo Caraffa remaining loved, were ever so much dreaded, or so soon obeyed, as funeral of a martial commander. As they passed by the still exposed to public view in an iron grate, upon the Masanicllo was, during his short but stupendous reign. palace of the viceroy, his excellency, to conform to the gate of St. Gennarro, with an inscription, "This is the His orders were without reply; his decrees without ap- times, sent eight of his pages, with torches in their hands, head of Don Peppo Caraffe di Mataloni, traitor to his peal; and the destiny of all Naples might be said to have to accompany the corpse, and at the same time ordered country, and of the most faithful people of Naples." depended upon a single motion of his hand. the Spaniards, who were then upon guard, to lower their Scarcely had the rumour gone abroad of the death of Those who have most curiously inquired into this great ensigns, and salute him as he went by. He was at last Masaniello, when four gentlemen allied to the family of and sudden revolution, of which he was the author, have brought back again to the cathedral church, and there the Mataloni, ventured to go boldly to the said gate, and for the most part looked upon it as a pure and immediate buried; whilst all the bells in Naples rung a mournful in a commanding way, though there were 1000 soldiers effect of God's judgments, who, to chastise the avarice, peal, and amidst the tears and lamentations of an infinite present, they got a ladder, and climbing up, broke the the pride, and the barbarity of the Spanish ministers, multitude of women, who showed so much respect and iron grate with the inscription, and took out the head, which were then at their highest pitch, singled out the veneration to his dust, that one may say, that, by the effect which they carried in a silver basin, covered with a silk arm of this poor fisherman to exccute his anger. Nor is of a popular inconstancy, which is not to be equalled, towel, and brought it to the church of St. John de Porta, this opinion without foundation: for, if we examine the Masaniello, in less than three days, was obeyed like a delivering it to the curate of that church, John Baptista actions and accidents of Masaniello's life, we shall find monarch, murdered like a villain, and revered like a saint. Julina, Afterwards they caused it to be put in a leaden them too extraordinary and too wonderful, not to have Such, then, is the history of the Neapolitans, from the box, and an authentic instrument made ad futuram rie been in a peculiar manner directed by the hand of Pro- first origin of their civil misfortunes and sufferings, under memoriam, by a public apostolical notary authorised by vidence. It is reported, that whilst he was yet in the an overbearing ministry, to the first period of tyranny the court of Rome, called Don Maria de Juliis. cradle, two Capuchins accidentally calling in at his mo- and oppression among them; that is, to their being re

It will be recollected that Masaniello, a little before his ther's house, one of them took him into his arms, and stored to the full possession of their rights and privileges death, began to feel the pulses of the richest men up and having looked very stedfastly upon him for some time, he by the fisherman-hero. Happy for them had they never down the city, demanding of them many thousands of told her, that that child should one day come to be the been molested in the enjoyment of them, and that the crowns, because he purposed, as he gave out, to present master of Naples, but that his government would have public faith had remained inviolate! But, alas! They five millions of gold to the king, which he had already but a very short duration. We have already taken notice were soon made sensible, by a fatal experience, that the promised to his excellency by way of donative. That of his own allusions, relating to his death, together with the most sacred, and most religious oaths and covenants, are sum was to be raised out of the money found in the burnt cause, time, and manner of it. But, what will raise our not strong enough to bind princes or their ministers houses, and contribution of the chief merchants and citi- admiration most of all is, that he, who had never had from acting contrary to their views of interest and amzens of Naples, which he would have effected within a any education, and who had always passed among those bition. few days, had he not died; therefore, it was questioned Not many days after Masaniello's death, the viceroy whether his death tended more to the service or disservice *Here Howell's narrative concludes. The sequel is made Julio Genovino president of one of the courts of jus of Spain. from that of F. Midon, Lond. 1729. tice, and gave him, besides, several other public marks of

Memoirs of Casanova.

BY HIMSELF.

his favour and esteem. The people were surprised at it; cules quidem contra duos," two would have been quite and they could not conceive what it was that should insufficient. Is it not extraordinary that in England, where duce the viceroy to give such extraordinary demonstracourage is innate, one man is considered sufficient to tions of favour to a man who had, with the greatest] arrest another, while in my country, where cowardice has warmth, so lately espoused the interest of the Neapolitans, set up her home, thirty are required for the purpose? and upon all occasions had, in a particular manner, maniProbably a coward is still more one when he attacks, than fested his enmity to the Spaniards. This was a mystery We find the following curious particulars translated when he is attacked, and that makes the person assaulted to them, and they were at a loss to unriddle it. But it from the German language, in a former number of the bolder; the truth is, in Venice one man is often seen was not long before their eyes were opened, by the pub- London Magazine, a work now united to the New opposing twenty sbirri, he gives them a good beating, lication of the printed treaty. They observed, that the fourteenth article in it contained a salvo, which had not Monthly. It is the only portion of Casanova's Memoirs Messer grande desired me to enter a gondola, and been read to them in the cathedral church, and which, we have ever seen in English. seated himself by my side; four men remained with him, indeed, made the treaty void and of no effect. The pur. Casanova de Seingalt was a Venetian, descended from the rest were dismissed; we proceeded to his dwelling, port of it is as follows: "That all taxes and gabels until an ancient but decayed family of Spanish origin; he where, after offering me coffee, which I refused, he locked then imposed and exacted, should be abrogated and anme in a room; I remained there four hours; when the nulled forever; such of them only excepted, as were spent a life of vicissitude and adventures, in which he clock struck three* the head of the sbirri entered, and told alienated to private or particular persons, which should passed through every gradation of poverty and wealth. me he had orders to take me to the "Camerotti." I always subsist, any thing in this treaty mentioned to the In the latter part of his life he retired to Dux, in Bohe-followed him, and after passing in a gondola through contrary notwithstanding." Now, there being no tax in

and escapes.

Cavalli.

I

many by canals, we entered the "canal grande," and the kingdom but what was alienated, all the gabels and mia, where he left his Memoirs in manuscript, from stopped at the quay of the prisons: a flight of steps led us taxes consequently remained still in force; and this treaty, which have been published several volumes of "Extracts," over a high, enclosed bridge, which connects the prisons that was concluded with so much solemnity, and after-translated into Gerinan and edited by Schutz. A games- with the ducal palace, and is thrown over the canal, wards confirmed by so many oaths, was only a political ter and a libertine, born and residing for a considerable called "Via di Palazzo" from hence a gallery, leading trick to lull the people asleep till the ministry should through a chamber, brought us to another, in which I find a fit opportunity of replunging them into a state of period of his life in a country celebrated for the profli was presented to a man in the dress of a patrician; he slavery and subjection. gacy of its morals, he has produced a work, which, cast a glance on me and said, "It is hc, secure him well;" But all crimes are not alike successful; and heaven judging from those parts it has been thought prudent to this was the secretary to the state inquisitors, Domenico would not suffer so heinous a violation of the public publish, is for the revolting nature of many of its anccfaith, sworn and pledged upon the altars, to go unpun- dotes, probably unparalleled in modern literature, and Camerotti, who, accompanied by two of his men, led me I was delivered over to the superintendant of the ished. Those who had first discovered the fraud, imme. diately communicated it to their neighbours; these again happily, it is not much known in America; but one copy up stairs through three long chambers, two of which divulged it to the people. In an instant, the whole city has ever come to our notice, and the only extract of the were locked, into a dirty garret. It was about six yards was alarmed. Multitudes of people flocked together in same length in the work which we could have ventured long and two broad, and received light through a hole in haste to the market-place, as is usual in cases of public (says the translator with truth) to present to the public, was mistaken; my jailor seized a large key, and opened the roof. I concluded that this was to be my prison, but danger. They plainly perceived the reason of Genovino's new preferment, and they concluded, that he had sold is the following history of his escape from the prisons of a strong iron-bound door, about three feet and a half high, them to the ministry. On a sudden, they gave a loose to Venice, which is of more than usual interest, bearing in and which had a hole in the middle, eight inches square; their rage and indignation. They flew to arms; and, in some of its relations a similarity to the Memoirs of Silvio machine of iron, fastened to the wall; my attendant on on being desired to enter, I observed with curiosity a the first heat of their furious resentment, they uttered a Pellico recently published. thousand direful imprecations against the government, noticing my surprise, said, laughing, "The signor is in whom they could no longer confide. This was the beIt is no more than justice to mention, that though puzzled to guess the use of this machine; I can help him; ginning of a civil war, which, in the end, proved fatal to the Casanova was a man of the most unbounded passions, when the illustrious inquisitors command a prisoner to Spaniards. The authors of it, unimproved by so recent and of exceedingly loose morals, his vices were those of his be strangled, he is obliged to sit on a stool with his back an example of what an injured and exasperated people against this iron, which incloses half of his neck; the can do in their own defence, and the defence of their country and times, rather than the result of any baseness other half is surrounded by a silken cord, which is passed liberty, soon saw themselves and their country involved peculiar to himself. He was certainly a man of con- through these two holes in the wall, and is fastened to a in all the calamities and horrors that attend intestine siderable talent, eveu fully allowing for the colouring windlass, which is turned till the culprit has given his feuds and dissensions. And some of them, by meeting which vanity must always lend to the writings of auto-till life is fled." soul back to God; but the confessor does not leave him with a more hasty and exemplary punishment, have lef behind them an everlasting monument of the wrath of heaven against perjured and avaricious ministers.

THE END.

BY THE AUTHOR OF HEADLONG HALL.

biographers.

It was on the morning of the 25th of July 1755, just at break of day, when Messer Grande, the title of the chief executive officer of the Venetian police, entered my

66

Ingeniously contrived! and probably you have the honour of turning the windlass," I replied; but my wor thy companion was silent.

As I was five feet nine inches high, I was compelled to stoop double to enter the door, which was immediately closed on me. The jailer asked me, through the grating,

door after door as he went.

THE PRIEST AND THE MULBERRY TREE. chamber. To awake, to see him, and to hear the ques- what I would have to cat; I answered, I had not yet tion, "Whether I were Jacob Casanova," was but the thought about it; he left the place, and I heard him lock work of an instant. I had hardly answered in the affirmative, when he demanded all my papers and letters, and desired me to rise and follow him, I asked by what authority he acted; he replied by that of the tribunal of the state Inquisition.

Did you hear of the curate who mounted his mare,
And merrily trotted along to the fair?
Of creature more tractable none ever heard;
In the height of her speed she would stop at a word,
And again with a word, when the curate said "Hey,"
She put forth her mettle, and galloped away.
As near to the gates of the city he rode,
While the sun of September all brilliantly glowed,
The good priest discovered, with eyes of desire,
A mulberry tree in a hedge of wild briar,

On boughs long and lofty, in many a green shoot,
Hung large, black, and glossy, the beautiful fruit."
The curate was hungry, and thirsty to boot;
He shrunk from the thorns, though he longed for the fruit;
With a word he arrested his courser's keen speed,
And he stood up erect on the back of his steed;
On the saddle he stood, while the creature stood still,
And he gathered the fruit, till he took his good fill.
"Sure never," he thought, "was a creature so rare,
So docile, so true, as my excellent mire.
So, here, now I stand!" (and he gazed all around,)
"As safe and as steady as if on the ground,
Yet how had it been, if some traveller this way,
Had, dreaming no mischief, but chanc'd to say Hey ?"
He stood with his head in the mulberry tree,
And he spoke ont aloud in his fond reverie:
At the sound of the word, the good mare made a push,
And down went the priest in the wild-briar bush:
He remembered too late, on his thorny green bed,
Much that well may be thought, cannot wisely be said.

Sullen and overwhelmed, I leaned on my elbows against the grating of the window, reflecting on my fate; six iron bars, each one inch thick, crossing each other, formed sixteen small holes five inches square, in an The word tribunal overpowered me; all my customary opening of two feet square; my dungeon would have reresolution yielded to the most implicit obedience; my ceived light enough through these, if it had not been for writing-desk stood open; my writings lay on the table; a beam eighteen inches thick, which crossed before the told the officer "he might take them." A bag that was opening in the roof. I discovered on groping about, and carried by one of his assistants was immediately filled stooping my head, so low was the place, only three sides with them: I was then required to produce the bound of the room; the fourth scemed to form an alcove, in manuscripts which were suspected to be in my posses- which a bed could be placed; but neither couch, table, sion; I surrendered them, and was at no loss to guess at nor chair were to be found-I made use of a shelf, about my infamous accuser. These writings of magical and a foot broad, which was fastened to the wall, and there cabalistical contents, were the Clavicula Salomonis," laid my fine silken mantle, my gala dress, assumed in an periods in which magical incantations were to be per- intolerable, and drove me to the grating, where at least I the "Zecor-ben," "Picatrix," essays on the planetary unlucky hour, with my hat and plume. The heat was formed, and other works of a similarly learned nature; could rest, leaning on my elbows; the window itself I whoever knew me to be in the possession of these, would could not see; but by the light from it, I saw rats as large consider me as a magician, and that I did not by any as rabbits running about the garret; these disgusting means regret. Creatures, at the sight of which I shuddered, were bold enough even to come close to the grating; I immediately shut the opening in the door, for my blood ran cold at the idea of their approaching me. I sank into a deep reverie, and leaning with folded arms against the grating, stood silent and motionless.

The books also on my table, Horace, Ariosto, Petrarch, a manuscript, and the works of Aretin, were not overlooked.

While the chief of the police was scarching for my papers, I dressed myself mechanically; caused myself to be shaved and my hair to be dressed; and put on a silken suit; and messer grande, whose eyes were never turned from me, seemed to feel no surprise at my dressing with so much care,

The clock striking twenty-one, raised anxiety in my

*The time throughout the narrative is reckoned after the Italian method, On my leaving the chamber, I was not a little startled This is the name these celebrated prisons are by seeing from thirty to forty officers of police; they had known by in Venice; in the German the original word done me the honour to consider me worthy of their signifies "lead-chambers," from a cause noticed in the attendance, though according to the proverb, "Ne Her-narrative.

66

mind at the non-appearance of any human being; I was to eat; one is fortunate when the insolence of inferiors found it was just possible to read in this manner: the left without food, without a bed, or a chair; I had not takes the disguise of a jest. I demanded rice, soup title of the work was, The mystic town of the sister even bread and water: I was not in truth hungry, but boiled meats, bread, water, and wine. It surprised the Maria of Jesus, called Agrada." 1 could not conceive none could know that, nor seemed to care whether I were fellow to hear me ask none of the questions he expected what could be the contents of the work. The second or not. I feit, though, a bitterness in my mouth I never from me; he went, and returned in a quarter of an hour, book was the work of a Jesuit; I have forgotten his experienced before; I still hoped that some one would to express his wonder that I had not asked for a bed, or name. His object in it was to found a new and more appear before the end of the day; but when it struck four- any other furniture, for I deceived myself if I sup- particular veneration for the heart of our Saviour. Ac. and-twenty, and none came, my rage broke loose; I posed I should only remain here for one night." cording to him, this, before all other parts of the body howled, stamped, cursed, and screamed as loud as I could, "Bring me, then," I replied, " all that in your opin of the Redeemer, should be held sacred: the first page and made as much noise as was possible; I passed an hour ion I shall want." revolted me; the heart seemed to me to be no more worin this occupation, but neither did any one show himself, "Where am I to get them from? here is pencil and thy of especial veneration than any other of the entrails. nor had I any reason to hope that I was even heard; in-paper, write down the address where I am to apply." The first work somewhat attracted my attention; it convolved in darkness, I shut the grating to keep out the I described the place where bed, linen, night-dress, tained the ravings of the overstrained fancy of a very rats, and binding a handkerchief round my head, laid my slippers, night-caps, arm-chair, table, glass, razors, pious, but very melancholy nun, of Spanish origin, self at full length on the floor. pocket-handkerchiefs, and the books which messer whose ignorant superiors had flattered her delusions. All So complete a neglect of me, even if my death were grande had taken from me, together with other papers, her chimerical and extraordinary visions were delivered resolved on, seemed impossible. I thought a moment were to be found. I read this inventory to him, for the as revelations, inflamed with love for the holy virgin, to try to remember the crime that had drawn down fellow could not read himself, and he told me I must and, as her confidential friend, she had received from this punishment, but I could recollect no great fault omit books, ink, papers, looking-glasses, and razors, for God himself the direct command to write the life of his had been guilty of; that I was licentious, and spoke they were forbidden to the prisoners. He then deinand. holy mother; the Holy Ghost had afforded her the needwhatever came into my mind, and that I sought every ed money to procure my food: I gave him one of the ful instructions for this purpose, which no mortal could enjoyment of life, did not render me guilty; neverthe three zechini which constituted all my wealth; he quit-have obtained by other means. The writings contained less, I was treated as a criminal of the worst descrip- ted me, and in half an hour I heard him leave the pri.no intentional fictions, for invention could not go so far; tion. The reader may conceive what hatred and son. I afterwards learned, that in that time seven all was written in perfect belief, as is usually the case in desperation rage inspired me with, against a despotism other prisoners had been secured, to each of whom, as the visions of an exalted and overstrained imagination, that could be familiar with such oppression: neverthe. to me, a separate cell was allotted, to hinder any com- which, far removed froin pride, is perfectly convinced of less, neither the violence of iny anger, nor the depth of munication between us. the truth of the communications, which it believes the my grief, nor the hardness of the floor, hindered me About noon the keeper came, accompanied by five sacred spirit to have instilled into it. The work excited from falling asleep; my body required rest; and when assistants appointed for the service of the state prisoners, in me neither a greater thirst for nor devotion to relia man is young, he oftens obtains as much as he re-as we were called; he opened the door to bring in gion, but rather induced me to regard every doctrine as quires when he least would expect it. my furniture and food; the bed was placed in the al- erroneous that contains any thing either dogmatical or The midnight bell aroused ine; dreadful is the wak-cove, the dinner on a small table; I had only an ivory mystical. ing that causes us to lament the unreality of the decep- spoon, bought with my own money, to cat with; for tions of slumber, I could hardly imagine that I had knife and fork, as well as all other articles of metal, spent three hours free from the feeling of any misery were proscribed. Without rising, while lying on my left side, I reached Tell me what you will have for to-morrow's food, for my right arm out to get my handkerchief, which I re- I can only visit you once a day, that is at sun-rise; and membered confusedly to have put near me; but oh, his excellency the secretary bids me inform you, you heavens! what did my hand encounter-another, cold shall have other books more fitting for your state, for and stiff as ice. Fear penetrated me from head to foot, those you wrote down are forbidden." and my hair stood on end; never had I felt before such "Present my thanks to him for the favour of having a trembling; I lay for five minutes motionless; at last given me a room to myself." recollecting myself a little, it occurred to me that it might be imagination only, which had deceived me; in this persuasion I reached forth my arm again, and I have ever since been persuaded of the error of those again encountered the samne hand, which, with a cry who boast of the strength of the human intellect. If of horror, I dropped from my grasp; I trembled still; mankind were to observe narrowly, it would discover but on reflection, I concluded that a corpse had been How! signor! rascals! I am astonished; here are more of weakness than of strength in the mind. Notlaid by my side while I was sleeping, for I was certain noue but people of condition, and reasons known only withstanding mental derangement is a rare occurrence, when I first laid down there was nothing on the floor. to the illustrious inquisitors, compel him to place them I am convinced how easily the mind may be overturned: I stretched my hand out a third time to be convinced, apart from one another; with you this has been done as our reason is like gunpowder, easily inflamed, and but by feeling, of the truth of this supposition; but when a severer punishment, and am I to return your thanks requiring a spark for its explosion. Such a work as that I leaned on my elbow to effect this, I found, on touch- for that?" of which I have been speaking, can overset a man's reaing the cold hand, that it began to move; I was now "I did not know this." son, if, like me, he were a prisoner in the Camerotti, and convinced, that what my right hand grasped, was only The fellow was right, as I learned some days after-deprived of every employment, and every other mental my left one, which, by my lying on it for so long awards but too well. I then found, that a man who is occupation. time, had lost all feeling and warinth. alone in his confinement, without the power of employ- At the end of nine days, I was destitute of money. This discovery was in itself laughable enough, but, ing himself, in a cell nearly dark, and where he only Lorenzo asked to whom he should apply for some; I an instead then of enlivening me, it rather suggested the sees the person who brings him food, once in a day, and swered to no one. My silence and reserve were in the gloomiest reflections. I saw myself in a place where. in which he cannot even walk about upright, becomes highest degree repugnant to this gossipping and ava. if what was false seemed true, truth itself became a the most miserable of living creatures; he may at last ricious man. On the following morning he announced dream; where reason lost half her powers, and where even long for the company of a murderer, a madman, or to me," that fifty sous per diem were allotted me by the the fancy fell a prey to delusive hopes or fearful des- even a bear. Solitude in these prisons brings despair; tribunal; as receiver of this sum, he would keep a reekpondencies. I began to be distrustful of the reality of but none know that who have not had the experience. oning of my expenditure, and account with me at the every thing which presents itself to our senses, or our if the prisoner, however, happen to possess sone know-month's end, and I might dispose of the overplus." I mind. Approaching my thirtieth year, I summoned ledge; and is allowed pen and paper, his misery is di- requested to see the newspapers twice a week, but I was philosophy for the first time to my aid. All the ele-minished a tenth. informed that that was forbidden. Seventy-five livres

"I will do so if you desire me; but you ought not to jest with him.”

"I do not jest; it must be a favour to be left alone, and not to be put into the company of rascals, such as I suppose to be in these dungeons."

Nevertheless, I soon felt the effect this reading had on my spirits. A mind more susceptible than mine, and more inclined to the wonderful, would have become as visionary as that of the nun itself. I devoted a whole week to the work, till I could read no farther; on going to sleep, I felt the influence of the disorder which the nun of Agrada had ingrafted on a mind depressed by melancholy and bad food. I smile now when I recall my fantastic dreams. If I had possessed pen and paper, a work might have been produced in the prisons of the Camerotti, more extraordinary than that Signor Cavalli

had sent me.

ments lay in my soul, but no occasion had ever called When the jailer was gone, I approached my table to monthly were far more than I could spend, for I hardly them forth into action, and I believe the majority die the grating, for the sake of the scanty light which ate any thing: the overpowering heat of my room, and without ever attaining a correct judgment. penetrated the aperture, but I could not swallow more the want of proper food, had exhausted me; the destrucI lay till eight o'clock: the dawn of day began to than a spoonful of soup; after fasting five-and-twenty tive time of the dog days now began, and the sun's rays appear at a quarter after nine: the sun must rise: hours, my sickness was not surprising. I passed the acting on the leaden roof of my prison, converted the impatiently anticipated the approach of morning. day tolerably quietly in my arm-chair, and waited till atmosphere of my cell to that of a sweating-stove; I rehad a feeling, which seemed like conviction, that morning, expecting the promised books. I was kept mained entirely unclothed, and the perspiration streamed should be dismissed to my home; and I could not sup-awake all night by the noise of the accursed rats in the down on both sides of me on my arm chair as I sat in press the longing for revenge that glowed in my bosom. adjoining garret, and by the striking of the clock in the it; violent accesses of shivering announced the approach The time appeared to be come when I was to place my- tower of St. Mark, which was as audible as if it had of fever: I reinained in bed and was silent. On the self at the head of the people, and annihilate the aris- been in my room; added to which, that a host of fleas third day after the first attack, when Lorenzo found all tocracy; it seemed to me as if the order for the destruction attacked my flesh and blood, with an energy without my food untouched, he asked me how I found myself? of any persecutors would not content me; I must myself parallel, that nearly produced convulsions. "Well," I replied. "That is impossible, for you eat aid in butchering them. Such is man! And he doubts At day break, Lorenzo, my jailer, appeared: he order-nothing; you are ill, and you will be astonished to hear not the least that it is reason that speaks in him; but it ed my bed to be made, and my room to be swept out of the bounty of the tribunal, for you shall have a docis his worst enemy, anger, who thus imitates the voice and put in order, while one of his people brought me tor, surgeon, and medicines, without its costing you any water to wash. I wished to go into the garret, but he thing." In three hours he reappeared, carrying a lightThe less I expected from the moment I hoped for, so told me that it could not be allowed. He gave me two ed taper before a man, whose appearance proclaimed him much the more did my rage subside. The drawing of large books, which, intentionally, I would not open be- a physician. For three days I had been in a burning bolts in the passages which led to my prison broke, to- fore him; probably he would have informed the spy if I fever; he wished to interrogate me, but I declared, that wards half-past eight, the deep stillness of this hell, in- had manifested any dislike to them. After he had ar- to my confessor and physician I could only speak withvented by man for his fellow men; I saw the jailer ap-ranged my meal, and cut two lemons, he left me. out witnesses. He ordered Lorenzo to withdraw, and or pear before my grating; he asked me whether I had I ate the soup directly, that it might not grow cold. I his refusing, he quitted me, declaring me in danger of had time enough for consideration of what I would have held one of the books up to the light of the grating, and my life. This was what I wished; it was a satisfaction '!

of reason.

to me to show my inflexible tyrants the consequences of their persecution.

me.

·

at the beginning of November, to leave a place by strata- and had fallen in love with his master's daughter; that gem where I was unjustly detained by force. This be- when the father found that she returned his attachment, In four hours the physician returned alone with the came my only thought. I resolved in my mind the and that they meditated a secret marriage, the count had light, Lorenzo remaining without. I was so exhausted means of accomplishing, what doubtless many had at- exerted his influence, and got him sent here. that I felt really at ease. When we are seriously ill we tempted, but none had ever succeeded in. A curious He was an agreeable, honest young man, but in love no longer experience ennui; I was even vexed my tor-circumstance disclosed to me the effect confinement had to desperation, and all his tears and sighs seemed vented menting spirit reinained without, for since he had ex- had on my mind. I stood in my cell, with my eyes more on account of his mistresses than of his own situaplained to me the use of the strangling machine, I had turned up towards the hole in the roof, and contemplated tion. I pited his simplicity, and shared my provisions conceived a horror of him. the large beam; Lorenzo had just left the cell with two with him, but he ate nothing; and at night I lent him I shortly explained my situation, and what I needed. assistants, when I saw the huge timber not only shake, my mattress to sleep on, as he could get nothing for him"You must banish your melancholy, if you would get but bend to the right and then resume its place; at the self till morning. On the morrow Lorenzo brought him well," said he. Write a receipt for that purpose, and same moment I lost my equilibrium: I knew it must a mattress, and informed him that the tribunal allotted bear it to the only apothecary who can prepare a dose of proceed from an earthquake, and the alarmed jailers him fifteen sous daily for his provisions. 1 told the it for me," I replied; “Signor Cavalli has be n the fatal concluded the same thing. Joyful at this discovery, I jailer he would always eat with me, and that he might physician who prescribed for me the Heart of Jesus,' remained silent; in five minutes the shock was renewed, keep the money to have three masɛes weekly said for his and the Mystic Town:' those works have reduced me and I exclaimed, "Another, another, great God! but soul. Lorenzo congratulated my companion on my kindto this." He prepared for me himself a lemonade, of stronger." The attendants were astonished, for they ness, and gave us permission to walk every day half an which he advised me to drink copiously, and then left supposed me deranged, and fled. On reflection, I was hour up and down in the gallery: this was not only of I passed the night more easily, though with trou-aware that it had occurred to me, that in the destruction great use to my health, but enabled me to further my blesome dreams. of the ducal palace, I might effect my escape: I did not plans for escape, which, nevertheless, did not ripen till On the following morning my medical attendant re-seem to doubt the possibility, that the falling building eleven weeks afterwards. turned, accompanied by a surgeon, who bled me; he would leave me unhurt and free on the pavement of St. At the further end of this magazine for rats, I found a gave me some medicine, which I was to take at evening, Mark's place! The same earthquake it was that, on the quantity of old lumber, on each side of two old chests, and a draught; he had also obtained permission for me same day, laid Lisbon in ruins. laying tumbled together on the ground a heap of papers to sleep in the garret, where the heat was not quite so To render intelligible my plans for escape, a description and writings lay before them. Among the rubbish was overpowering; but this I declined on account of the of the "locale" is necessary. a warming-pan, a brazier, a fire-shovel and tongs, an old rats, which I feared might come into my bed. He com- The cells for the state prisoners are on the highest candlestick and a tin watering-pot; probably some illupassionated my condition, and told me that he had re-floor, in the roof of the ducal palace; which roof is lustrious predecessor of mine had obtained permission to presented to Cavalli the consequences of my reading the neither covered with slates nor tiles, but with plates of have these for his convenience; I also observed an iron books he had sent me, and that Cavalli had promised to lead three feet square and about a line in thickness; bolt, about the thickness of my thumb, and eighteen insend me others; in the mean time he had brought nie hence the name Bleikammern. The only access to them ches long; but I touched nothing: the time had not yet Boethius. I thanked him for his kindness, and he went, is through the gate of the palace, and through those gal. arrived for fixing my attention on any thing. after leaving me elder and barley water to drink. leries along which I had been brought, and in the way One morning, at the end of the month, my companion After four visits of this man I became convalescent, up to them the council hall of the state inquisitors is was removed from me; Lorenzo said he had been ordered and I regained my appetite. At the beginning of Sep- passed. The secretary alone keeps the key, and the to the prisons called La Guattri: they are in the interior tember I was tolerably restored; nothing tormented me jailer returns it to him every morning after he has per- of the building, and belong likewise to the inquisitors. but heat, vermin, and ennui, for I could not read Boethius formed his service for the prisoners. This arrange. Those imprisoned in them enjoy the privilege of calling eternally. Lorenzo told me I might, while my bed was ment was made, because at a later hour of the day the their jailers at any time, if they want any thing. It is being made and my room swept out, in order to destroy council of ten assembled in an adjoining chamber called true, that there is no day-light, but an oil-lamp supplies the fleas who consumed me, wash my face and hands La Bussola, and the jailers would have had to pass the place. I afterwards heard that poor Maggiorino out of the cell: this was a favour, and I employed the through an ante-room, where people in attendance on that passed five years in them, and was then banished for ten eight or ten minutes that was allowed me in walking council were in waiting. more to Lerigo! The loss of his society affected me violently up and down the garret; the rats, frightened at These prisons occupy the two opposite sides of the exceedingly. Left again to myself, I again fell into dethis, were not visible. On the same day Lorenzo granted building; three, among which was mine, towards the jection, but I still was allowed the privilege of walking me this indulgence, he settled his accounts with me; west, and four towards the east. The gutter on our in the gallery for a short time, and I found means to exthere remained about thirty livres coming to me, but 1 side ran along the inner court; on the other it overhung amine every thing that was there; more particularly in gave it to him, telling him he might have masses said the canal "Rio di palazzo." The cells on that side one of the chests I found some blank paper, paste, unfor it; he thanked me as if he had been the priest who are very light, and a man can stand upright in them; dressed goose feathers, and twine; the other was locked. had to say them. At the end of each month I repeated but it was not so with the others, which were called piece of black smooth marble, about one inch thick, this gift, but I never saw any receipt from a priest; " trave," from the beams which crossed the windows in six long, and three wide, I managed to secret and convey without doubt, it was among Lorenzo's least crimes that the roof. The floor of my cell was the ceiling of the into my cell, where I hid it under my shirts. he appropriated this money to his own use. hall of the inquisitors, who, according to rule, assembled Eight days after Maggiorino's departure, Lorenzo told I remained in this condition, ever nourishing the only at night after the meeting of the ten, of which they me I might expect another companion. This jailer, hope of speedily returning to my liberty; scarcely an were all of them members. who was an inveterate gossip, was inpatient at my reevening passed without my retiring to rest with a con- I was aware of all this, and my knowledge of the lo. serve; and as I never gave him an opportunity of showviction that on the morrow my freedom would be an-cality afforded me the only hope of escape. It would be ing his discretion, he concluded that I asked him no nounced to me; but as I saw my hopes constantly disap-necessary to dig through the floor of my cell, but to questions, in the belief he had nothing to tell me worth pointed, it occurred to me that probably a stated term effect this tools were required, which I had no means of knowing. This hurt his vanity; and to prove that I was fixed for my imprisonment, and I conjectured the obtaining, deprived as I was of all means of communica- was mistaken, he let fall hints of many things, of which first of October to be that terin, because on that day the tion with others; all visits and writing materials were I had asked no information, respecting the prisoners and inquisitors were changed. My confinement would last absolutely forbidden; gold to bribe the jailers I had the rules of the place; he also boasted his own virtues, till then, I further concluded, from my not seeing the none; and if they would have had the complaisance to let but they were for the most part negative. secretary, who, I had supposed, would have come to an-ne murder thein, I had no weapon; besides, one of them This was the first conversation he had honoured me nounce to me the crime of which I was accused, and the stood sentinel at the closed passage, and before even a with; it diverted me, and his information was afterwards extent of my punishment. This seemed but natural and comrade could be let out he must give the pass word. of use to me; I also gathered from it that his folly preprobable; but I deceived myself; for in the Camerotti Flight remained the object of my constant thought; and vented him from being baser than he otherwise might nothing ever passes that is either natural or probable. I since I could derive no assistance on the subject from have been. I was fully aware that I might profit by this imagined that, aware now of my innocence, they were Boethius, I ceased to peruse his writings; but I had folly. ashamed of their persecution, but that they still detained ever been convinced that there is no object a man may me in order to save their own reputations; and that they would free me at the termination of their reign, that their successors might not discover the injustice they had been guilty of towards me.

I lay on

and the same scene as with Maggiorino was repeated.
The following morning my new companion arrived,
I now found that I should want two ivory spoons, for
the first day I always had to treat the strangers-
I saluted the present one immediately; and my beard,
already four inches long, imposed more on him than my
stature; for though I was allowed scissors occasionally
but use is every thing, and I became used to this.
to cut my nails, I was not permitted to cut my beard;

not attain by constantly devoting his thoughts to it. In the middle of November I was informed, that, a new state prisoner having been taken, and being condemned to the worst cell, I was to have him for a comBut all this and other reasoning was totally fallacious, panion. The information was of course agreeable to me. as applied to the inquisition. Every citizen becomes Accordingly, after the third hour, I heard the drawing of guilty as soon as he is treated by this court as such. bolts, and Lorenzo accompanied by his two assistants, What use then to examine him? Why give him the appeared, conducting a young man, who was dissolved in unpleasant information of his conviction and condemna- tears: they shut him in with me, and left us. The stranger was a man of about fifty, thin, and stooption? His confession is not needed; they therefore my bed in the alcove, so that the stranger could not see ed much; he was shabbily dressed, and had a sinister leave him hope; the tribunal judges and condemns; the me. I was diverted at his surprise; he was fortunate expression of countenance; he was reserved towards me culprit is but a machine, a nail, to drive which through enough to be only five feet high, so he could stand up the first day, though he ate my victuals, but on the morplank only requires a hammer. right: he looked on my arm-chair, which he concluded row he changed his system. A good bed and linen beOn the night of the thirtieth of September I could not was intended for him, with attention; and seeing my longing to him was brought him. The jailor asked about sleep: I longed for the approach of day, for I was con- Boethius laying on the shelf over the grating, he dried his food, and demanded money for it. vinced it would bring me freedom; but morning broke, his eyes and opened the book, but pushed it away dis and Lorenzo brought me my food without a word. Five or contentedly on finding it a Latin work. He was still แ Good," replied Lorenzo; "then you shall have a six days passed in rage and despair; I began to think more surprised at observing clothes, and on approaching pound and a half of ship's biscuit, and excellent water." that, from causes totally inexplicable to me, I was to be the alcove he stretched forth his hand and touched me, He fetched both directly, and then left me alone with the confined for life. This fearful thought excited a laugh, instantly apologising. I bade him to sit down, and in spectre. He sighed, and that awaked my compassion. but nothing more: I resolved to free myself or perish in this manner our acquaintance commenced. He told me "Be not dejected," said I to him, "you shall eat with, the attempt. "Deliberata morte ferocior." I determined, the was the son of a coachman, had been valet to a count, me; but you have been imprudent to come here absolute.

a

"I have not even a sous."

ly without money." "I have money," he replied, "but one must not let these harpies know it."

the pretence of seeing it well swept; I saw that he har- intending to empty the chips behind the lumber in the boured some suspicion, but I remained quite indifferent ante-room, and I put the bed back again in its place. On I learnt from him that he was an usurer, who had in appearance, and took my resolution accordingly. continuing my work on the following day, I dis been sent here most justly for an infamous piece of rogue- I stained my handkerchief with blood, which I obtain-covered a second deal under the first, and of the same ry he had practised towards a Count Scrimon, to whom ed by cutting my thumb, and waited in bed his coming. thickness; 1 had no interruption, but was in continual he had refused restitution of some money he had been in- "I have coughed so violently," I said, "that I have dread of it. In this way I laboured daily for three trusted with by him. After being condemned in a process burst a blood-vessel : see how I have bled; pray send for weeks: three planks were now cut through, and under with costs, he was committed here till he should pay. a physician." One soon arrived, bled me, and gave me them I found a pavement of small pieces of marble, called On the fourth day, at about four, Lorenzo summoned him a receipt. I declared to him that Lorenzo was alone to "terrazzo marmorin;” against this my weapon was into the presence of the secretary. He dressed immediate-blame, because he would persevere in having the place effectual. I recollected Hannibal's contrivance for pass. ly, and put on my shoes without my being aware of it; swept. He was desired to desist, which he agreed to; ing the Alps, and resolved to try it on this occasion. I he came back in half an hour in great grief and agita-and it became a rule among the under jail-keepers, only found that the vinegar, aided by my perseverance, enabled tion, and took out of his shoes two purses with three to sweep the rooms of those they meant to ill-treat! me, if not to dig through the marble, at least to cut out hundred and fifty zechini in them, with which he returned I had gained much, but the time was not yet come for the mortar that cemented the pieces together, and in four to the secretary. Lorenzo told me he had been liberated beginning my work; it was so cold that I could not hold days I accomplished my purpose, and had not broken my on paying this sum, and his things were sent for on the the iron without my hands being frozen. My undertak- stiletto. I now found, as I expected, another plank, following day. I concluded that the threats of torture ing required great circumspection: the long winter nights probably the last, but with which I had greater difficul had brought him to confession, so there may be some made me inconsolable; I had to pass nineteen hours in culties, for the hole was already ten inches deep. use even in this tyranny. darkness, for on the foggy days, which are common in It was on the twenty-fifth of June, as in the afternoon, On the 1st of January, 1756, I received a new year's Venice, the light that was able to penetrate to me was after working three hours, laying on my stomach on the gift. Lorenzo brought me a beautiful dressing-gown, not sufficient to enable me to read. again sunk into ground, and quite naked, dropping with sweat, and my lined with fox fur, a silken coverlid quilted with wool, despondency; a lamp would have made me happy. Ilamp standing lighted in the hole, when I heard the and a case of bear skin to put my feet in; for in propor- thought, and thought, how I could supply the place of rattling of the bolts in the ante-rooms. What a moment! tion as it was hot in summer was my prison cold in one: I required a lamp, wick, oil, flint, and steel, I blew out the lamp, left the stiletto and napkin in the winter. At the same time he informed me, that six and tinder, and I had not one of them all; the lamp, opening, pushed the bedstead into the alcove, threw mat. zechini monthly were placed at my disposal, and that I however I supplied by means of an earthen pipkin, in tress and bedding upon it, and sunk on the floor, nearly might buy what books or newspapers I pleased. He which butter and eggs were prepared, and which I dead, just as Lorenzo entered; he would have trod on me added that this present came from my friend and patron, managed to conceal: I saved the oil for my salad, and if I had not cried out. "Ah, my God!" exclaimed he, the Patrician Bragadino: I begged of him some paper wicks I made out of cotton from my bed; I then pretend-" how I pity you, signor; this place is like an oven. Get and a pencil, and wrote on it, "My thanks for the ed to have a violent tooth-ache, and persuaded Lorenzo up, and thank heaven for having sent you such a comclemency of the tribunal and the generosity of Signor to give me a flint to steep in vinegar, to apply to the tooth, panion. Your excellency may now come in." He said Bragadino." and he was present when I laid three flints in vinegar this to the unfortunate man who followed him, without A person must have been in my situation to be able to for that purpose. A buckle in my girdle served for a thinking of my nakedness; the stranger, however, perbe able to appreciate the effect this had on me: in the steel, but I had neither matches nor tinder; these, at ceived it, and turned away, while I searched in vain for fulness of my heart I pardoned my oppressors; in-length, I managed to obtain, through contrivance and a shirt. The new comer must have thought himself in deed I was nearly induced to give up all thoughts of fortunate circumstances. An inflammation caused me an hell, and he exclaimed, “Where am I? and where am I escaping; so pliant is man, after misery has bowed him intolerable itching; I requested Lorenzo to procure from to be confined? What a heat and what a smell! With down and degenerated him. the physician a receipt to cure it: he proscribed "dict whom am I imprisoned?" Lorenzo called him out of the One morning, as I was walking up and down the gar- for a day and three ounces of oil of sweet almonds, to cell, begged me to put on a shirt, and to go out into the ret, my eyes rested on the bolt, which still lay on the cure the irruption; or rub the part with flour of brim- garret. He told the stranger he had orders to get him a ground. I saw that it could be made to supply me with stone; but the last to be used with caution." I laughed bed, and whatever he might want, directly; in the mean an offensive and defensive weapon. I picked it up, hid at the danger, and desired Lorenzo to buy me the salve, time he might walk up and down in the room, and the it under my clothes, and brought it into my cell, at the or rather to buy the sulphur, and I would make the salve smell in the cell would go off: the smell in fact came same time taking in my hand the piece of inarble I be-myself with butter; this he did; but now for the tinder; from the lamp, which I had blown out. Lorenzo made fore mentioned to have secured: I recognised it now for to contrive a substitute for that was the work of three me no reproaches on the subject, though I was certain a whetstone, and trying the bolt on it, I resolved to make days. It at last occurred to me that I had ordered my he suspected the truth, and I began to respect him a little a weapon of the latter, though every convenience for so tailor to stuff my silken vest, under the arms, with for this forbearance. doing was wanting. The difficulties I had to overcome sponge to prevent the appearance of the stain; the clothes, At length I went out into the room with my shirt and were but an incentive to my perseverance: I was obliged quite new, lay before me; my heart beat,-the tailor dressing gown on the new prisoner wrote with a pencil to perform my work in nearly perfect darkness, and to might not have fulfilled my orders; I hesitated between what he wanted; but as soon as he saw me, he exclaimed, hold the stone in my hand, for want of something to lean fear and hope. It only required two steps and I was out" You here, Casanova!" I recognised him immediately it against; and instead of oil, I was compelled to use my of suspense; but I could not resolve on those two steps; for the Count Abbé Fanarola, from Brescia: he was own spittle. I worked fourteen days to convert the bolt at last I advanced to the place where the clothes lay, and an agreeable, much-esteemed man, fifty years of age, and into an octangular stiletto, and a sword-maker could not feeling unworthy of such a favour, if I should find the rich. I embraced him with tears, and said he was the have done it better; but it is impossible to form an idea sponge there, I fell on my knees, and prayed fervently. last man I expected to see there. I told him, when we of the fatigue and patience it cost me: it was a work, Comforted by this, I took down the dress-and found were left alone, that I would, when his bed came, offer "quam Siculi non invenere tyranni." I could hardly the sponge. him the alcove, but begged him to refuse it, and to forbid move my right arm, and my left hand was become one I was no sconer in possession of it, than I poured the the sweeping out of the room. I would tell him afterblister; but I would not give up my work. At length it oil into the pipkin, and put the wick in, and the lamp was wards my reasons. I mentioned the blowing out of the was finished. Proud of my labour, and yet uncertain ready. It was no little addition to the pleasure this lamp: he promised secresy, and rejoiced that he was conof what use it would be to me, I was puzzled in what luxury afforded me, that I owed it entirely to my own in- fined with me. I learnt from him that no one knew the manner to conceal it, so as to escape discovery. I hid it genuity, and that I had violated one of the strictest laws of crime of which I was accused; and that, therefore, there in the straw of my arm-chair; no one could find it there the prison. I dreaded the approach of night no longer; but were all sorts of reports and conjectures afloat about it. unless he knew of its situation. In this manner I was I was obliged to renounce salad, my favourite dish. I Towards the evening his bed, chair, linen, perfume, an provided with one step towards an escape, which, if not determined to begin my operations on the first Monday wonderful, was at least remarkable. of Lent, for during the extravagance of the carnival, I After four days of reflection, I concluded that the only was daily liable to have companions sent me. On Ash thing that remained for me to do, would be to dig a hole Wednesday Lorenzo announced to me, thst I was to cxthrough the floor of the cell. I knew that under it must pect the annual visit of the secretary, which was made for I now brought my lamp out of the hole, and laughed be the chamber in which I had seen Cavalli ; I knew that the sake of receiving any complaints of the prisoners, and at finding my napkin soaked in oil; when an adventure this chamber was every morning open, and that if I could to enable them to confess, and receive the sacrament; he that might have had tragical consequences ends with a effect the opening, I could let myself down by means of desired me, therefore, to dress and receive him. When trifling one, we have a right to laugh: the abbe joined iny bed-clothes, then conceal myself under the table of he came, I begged to have a confessor sent to me on the me in my mirth when he heard the story, as I set it to the tribunal, and escape the following morning when the morrow, but I made no other request, and preferred no rights again, and lighted it. We never slept the whole door was opened. I hoped to be able to reach a place of complaint. I regretted that I could not forbear shivering night, less on account of the vermin, as that we had nusafety before I were pursued: if I found a sentinel, placed from cold, as the secretary might take it for a sign of merous questions to ask of one another. From him I by Lorenzo, in that chamber, I would with my weapon guilt; when he found I had nothing to say to him, he learnt that the cause of his arrest was an insignificant but kill him; but if it should turn out that the floor of the made a slight salutation, and left me, and I returned to indiscreet observation of his, made at a public place. I cell was doubly, and perhaps trebly boarded, the work my bed again to get warm. told him he might expect to remain here a week, and that might occupy me many months, and how should I be I now began to cut through the deal boards of my floor then he would be banished to Brescia for a few months, able to hinder the sweeping of my room so long? To with my stiletto; at first the chips were not bigger than but he would not believe he would be kept here even a forbid it would excite suspicion, for I had at first most a grain of corn, but by and by they increased to respect- week; he afterwards, however, found my prophecy corstrenuously insisted on it, for the sake of exterminating able splinters; the deals were about sixteen inches broad. rect. I did my best to console him for the mortification the vermin. I dug my hole where two of them joined, and was of his confinement. Nevertheless, I did forbid it; and after some days, obliged to be expeditious,-for what was I to do if In the morning early, Lorenzo brought us coffee, and Lorenzo was curious to know the reason; I replied, that another prisoner had come, who would have insisted on the count's dinner in a basket; the latter could not unit raised a dust that was prejudicial to my lungs: he having the cell swept out? I had moved my bed on one derstand why he must eat at this hour. We were proposed first sprinkling it, but that I reprobated stil! side, lighted my lamp, and lay on the ground, my stiletto allowed to walk in the gallery for an hour, and were then more, because dampness caused spitting of blood. At in one hand, and a napkin to collect the chips in the other; shut in. The fleas which tormented us, induced the the end of a week he commanded it to be swept, had fortunately I met with no nail nor cramp to impede my abbé to ask me why I would not have the place swept ? the bed taken out of the cell, and brought in a light, under progress. After six hours' work I tied the napkin together, I told him, and showed him every thing. He was

excellent dinner, and good wine, were brought him. He could eat nothing, but I was far from following his example. His bed was placed without moving mine, and we were shut in together.