Produced by David Widger
MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798
SPANISH PASSIONS, Volume 6d—FLORENCE TO TRIESTE
THE MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA DE SEINGALT
THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TOWHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS.
FLORENCE to TRIESTE
CHAPTER XVIII
Madame Denis—Dedini—Zanovitch—Zen—I Am Obliged to Leave—I Arrive at
Bologna—General Albergati
Without speaking at any length I asked the young grand duke to give me anasylum in his dominions for as long as I might care to stay. Ianticipated any questions he might have asked by telling him the reasonswhich had made me an exile from my native land.
"As to my necessities," I added, "I shall ask for help of no one; I havesufficient funds to ensure my independence. I think of devoting the wholeof my time to study."
"So long as your conduct is good," he replied, "the laws guarantee yourfreedom; but I am glad you have applied to me. Whom do you know inFlorence?"
"Ten years ago, my lord, I had some distinguished acquaintances here; butnow I propose to live in retirement, and do not intend renewing any oldfriendships."
Such was my conversation with the young sovereign, and after hisassurances I concluded that no one would molest me.
My adventures in Tuscany the years before were in all probabilityforgotten, or almost forgotten, as the new Government had nothing incommon with the old.
After my interview with the grand duke I went to a bookseller's shop andordered some books. A gentleman in the shop, hearing me making enquiriesabout Greek works, accosted me, and we got on well together. I told him Iwas working at a translation of the "Iliad," and in return he informed methat he was making a collection of Greek epigrams, which he wished topublish in Greek and Italian. I told him I should like to see this work,whereupon he asked me where I lived. I told him, learnt his name andaddress, and called on him the next day. He returned the visit, and webecame fast friends, though we never either walked or ate together.
This worthy Florentine was named (or is named, if he be still alive)
Everard de Medici.
I was very comfortable with Allegranti; I had the quiet so necessary toliterary labours, but nevertheless I made up my mind to change mylodging. Magdalena, my landlord's niece, was so clever and charming,though but a child, that she continually disturbed my studies. She cameinto my room, wished me good day, asked me what kind of a night I hadspent, if I wanted anything, and the sight of her grace and beauty andthe sound of her voice so ravished me, that I determined to seek safetyin flight.
A few years later Magdalena became a famous musician.
After leaving Allegranti I took rooms in a tradesman's house; his wifewas ugly, and he had no pretty daughters or seductive nieces. There Ilived for three weeks like Lafontaine's rat, very discreetly.
About the same time, Count Stratico arrived at Florence with his pupil,the Chevalier Morosini, who was then eighteen. I could not avoid callingon Stratico. He had broken his leg some time before and was still unableto go out with his pupil, who had all the vices and none of the virtuesof youth. Consequently, Stratico was always afraid of something happeningto him, and he begged me to make myself his companion, and even to sharehis pleasures, so that he might not go into bad