Produced by David Widger

MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798

VENETIAN YEARS, Volume 1c—MILITARY CAREER

THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TOWHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS.

MILITARY CAREER

CHAPTER XIII

I Renounce the Clerical Profession, and Enter the Military
Service—Therese Leaves for Naples, and I Go to Venice—I Am Appointed
Ensign in the Army of My Native Country—I Embark for Corfu, and Land at
Orsera to Take a Walk

I had been careful, on my arrival in Bologna, to take up my quarters at asmall inn, so as not to attract any notice, and as soon as I haddispatched my letters to Therese and the French officer, I thought ofpurchasing some linen, as it was at least doubtful whether I should everget my trunk. I deemed it expedient to order some clothes likewise. I wasthus ruminating, when it suddenly struck me that I was not likely now tosucceed in the Church, but feeling great uncertainty as to the professionI ought to adopt, I took a fancy to transform myself into an officer, asit was evident that I had not to account to anyone for my actions. It wasa very natural fancy at my age, for I had just passed through two armiesin which I had seen no respect paid to any garb but to the militaryuniform, and I did not see why I should not cause myself to be respectedlikewise. Besides, I was thinking of returning to Venice, and felt greatdelight at the idea of shewing myself there in the garb of honour, for Ihad been rather ill-treated in that of religion.

I enquired for a good tailor: death was brought to me, for the tailorsent to me was named Morte. I explained to him how I wanted my uniformmade, I chose the cloth, he took my measure, and the next day I wastransformed into a follower of Mars. I procured a long sword, and with myfine cane in hand, with a well-brushed hat ornamented with a blackcockade, and wearing a long false pigtail, I sallied forth and walked allover the city.

I bethought myself that the importance of my new calling required abetter and more showy lodging than the one I had secured on my arrival,and I moved to the best inn. I like even now to recollect the pleasingimpression I felt when I was able to admire myself full length in a largemirror. I was highly pleased with my own person! I thought myself made bynature to wear and to honour the military costume, which I had adoptedthrough the most fortunate impulse. Certain that nobody knew me, Ienjoyed by anticipation all the conjectures which people would indulge inrespecting me, when I made my first appearance in the most fashionablecafe of the town.

My uniform was white, the vest blue, a gold and silver shoulder-knot, anda sword-knot of the same material. Very well pleased with my grandappearance, I went to the coffee-room, and, taking some chocolate, beganto read the newspapers, quite at my ease, and delighted to see thateverybody was puzzled. A bold individual, in the hope of getting me intoconversation, came to me and addressed me; I answered him with amonosyllable, and I observed that everyone was at a loss what to make ofme. When I had sufficiently enjoyed public admiration in the coffee-room,I promenaded in the busiest thoroughfares of the city, and returned tothe inn, where I had dinner by myself.

I had just concluded my repast when my landlord presented himself withthe travellers' book, in which he wanted to register my name.

"Casanova."

"Your profession, if you please, sir?"

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