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Page 48
You see, I am but the second letter of your alphabet, though you are
the first of _mine_.
X.
Milan, 24th November 1798.
I know not, Dearest Emma, whether friend Sir William has been able
to obtain my passport, or not; but this I know--that, if they have
refused it, they are damned fools for their pains: for, never was a
_Malta orange_ better worth squeezing or sucking; and if they leave me
to die, without a tombstone over me, to tell the contents--"_tant pis
pour eux_!"
In the mean time, I will frankly confess to you, that my health most
seriously and urgently requires the balmy air of dear Naples, and the
more balmy atmosphere of those I love, and who love me; and that I
shall forego my garret with more regret than most people of my silly
rank in society forego a palace or a drawing-room.
But I will augur better things from the justice of my neighbour; and
that they will not condemn, against all rules of probability, one of
their best friends, unheard: especially, one who, if he be heard, can
say so much.
My project, then, in case I receive the passport, is to travel on
horseback as far as _Spalato_ in Dalmatia; and, from thence, cross
over to Manfredonia--a passage of a few hours--and which, in the year
1772, I performed with my horses on board; and, afterwards, had a most
delightful jaunt through that unexplored region, Dalmatia; where the
very first object that strikes both the eye and the imagination, is
a modern city built within the precincts of an ancient palace--for
Spalato stands within the innermost walls of Diocletian's palace.
For that wise Sovereign quitted the sceptre for the pleasures of
an architect's rule; and, when he had completed his mansion in that
delightful climate, enjoyed that, and life, to a most advanced old
age--
"The world forgetting, by the world forgot."
_A-propos_ to _Spalato_! Do not fail hinting to Sir William, that
a most safe, convenient, and expeditious packet-boat, might be
established, in these perilous times, between that and Manfredonia:
by which all dispatches, and all travellers, either for business or
pleasure, might make a very short and safe cut between Naples and
Vienna, and Naples and the rest of Europe, without touching one palm
of any ground but Austrian and Neapolitan; and, of course, without the
risk of being ever stopped.
The small towns, too, are in quick succession; and, the whole country
being a limestone rock, the roads will make themselves, and afterwards
pay themselves, by means of good turnpikes.
Nothing can exceed the dreariness, gloominess, and humidity, of a
Milanese sky in winter; which, I conclude, under the _old regime_,
led to all the hospitality, and conviviality, practised here, by their
voluptuous but social nobility.
Now, we have nothing left to _comfort_, but another _Nudi_--a son of
Esculapius, born in Italy; but an enthusiast for England, and all that
is English--an excellent physician, but a still better friend; and,
like Nudi, when he has a pint of Madeira in his belly, and the fumes
of it in his brain, a most cheerful and improving companion: for, I
protest to you that, during my convalescence, I made greater strides
to recovery by his Attic evenings, than by his morning potions, or
even his beef broth.
Sweet Emma, adieu! Remember me in the warmest and most enthusiastic
stile, to your friend, and my friend, and the friend of human kind.
If Sir William does not contrive to send me my passport, I will--I
will--excommunicate him, and send him to the devil before his time.
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