alone; so when I left the Signora, I flew to the coffee-house, where I found the knight of the tail. I desired him to meet me at the Stella d' Oro tavern at three o'clock, where I would treat him

with a capon. The innkeeper's poulterer was rather more punctual than my patron's, and we had an excellent dinner. I related my good fortune, and, in short, told him every thing that had occurred, except the advance which I had received; for, barring the importance of his tail, I thought the knight, had a borrowing countenance.

The Signora, with her husband, her lap-dog, servant, and myself, set off in a gondola for Mestra, where we found her travelling-carriage, in which we proceeded day and night, till we reached Gorizia, where we remained a day to repose ourselves. The part of the Venetian states through which we passed abounds in beauties; as Goldsmith says,

"Could Nature's beauties satisfy the breast,
The sons of Italy were surely blest."

I suffered greatly from the cold, as we proceeded into Germany; the roads were hilly and heavy, the cattle miserable, and the post-boys incorrigible. But what was all this to me? I was in a comfortable carriage, in pleasant society, and seated opposite to a beautiful woman of six-and-twenty. At length, we arrived at Gratz; Signora Benini's

house was elegantly fitted up. The manager waited on her, and after dinner conducted me to the apartments which were taken for me. Before I quitted her, the Signora insisted on my accepting a cover at her table every day, and indeed evinced the greatest friendship and hospitality towards me.

A great number of nobility resided in this pleasant lively city, and many rich merchants; but which was far better for me, a great number of Irish officers, among whom were Generals Dillon, Dalton, and Kavanagh. General Dalton was commandant; and when I was introduced to him, I was delighted to find that he remembered my father, for whom he expressed the highest respect, and indeed said every thing that could gratify the feelings of a son; at the same time assuring me he would be happy to see and serve me at all times. He kept his word amply, for I found in him a father when I wanted advice, and his acquaintance was of course an introduction to the best society.

He was an enthusiast about Ireland, and agreed with me that the Irish language was sweeter and better adapted for musical accompaniment than any other, the Italian excepted: and it is true that, when a child, I have heard my father sing many pathetic Irish airs, in which the words resembled Italian so closely, that if I did not know the impos

sibility, the impression on my memory would be that I had heard him sing in that language.

To return to Gratz: the time at length arrived for opening of the operatic campaign. The company was good, the first comic man, Guglielmi, excellent; La Signora Benini was a great favourite. The first opera was "La vera Costanza," the music by Anfossi. I had some good songs in it, and was in high spirits.

As it was the custom for the ladies the first night of the opera to go in grand gala, the boxes and parterre were a perfect blaze of diamonds, and every part of the house was crowded. I was supported by numbers of my countrymen, who were present, and, independently of them, the applause I received was beyond my expectations, and far beyond my merits.

The carnival at length arrived, with all its wonted jollity, and, to my astonishment, I found that the sober Germans understood masquerading and keeping up the frolic of the season as well as the inhabitants of any part of Italy, Venice excepted. On those occasions I was seldom "lost in the throng;" indeed, I had nothing to do but to enjoy myself.

Amongst the distinguished persons to whom General Dalton's friendship introduced me, was the Governor of Gratz, a most highly-gifted

nobleman, whose wife laboured under the extraordinary misfortune of not having seen her own face for many years! She was considered the most complete mistress of the art of enamelling in Germany!

"And all, save the" husband, “could plainly descry, From whence came her white and her red."

Independently of this little failing, she was an amiable, accomplished woman, though proud; and, what was more to my purpose, a good musician. When General Dalton introduced me to her, I had the pleasure of hearing her play very finely on the piano-forte. I recollect she found fault with the manner in which my hair was dressed, observing that it would become me better if combed off my forehead. I defended my mode, merely on the score of being used to it; on which she said, "My good young mind what I now say; while you

drink to please yourself; but in study to please others."

man, bear in

live, eat and

dress always

About this time, Grétry's opera of "Selima and Azor" was sent from Vienna, and put into rehearsal. Signora Benini performed Selima; and I the Prince. It was brought out under the immediate patronage of the Governor's lady, who attended all the rehearsals herself. No expense

was spared on the scenery and decorations. The second dress I wore, that of the Prince, after being transformed from the monster, was very magnificent, and, to render it more so, the Countess made my turban herself, and almost covered it with her own diamonds! I often thought, while bearing those shining "honours thick upon me," that I should be a lucky fellow, if, like Gil Blas, I could make a bolt, merely for the sake of a jest! but had I been so inclined, it "might not so easily be," as the Countess, though she had the highest opinion of my honour, thought it not amiss to place her maître d'hotel behind the scenes, to support it, should it be inclined to make a slip with her diamonds! I was allowed this splendour only for three nights-at the end of the third, I sighed, and returning the turban to the lynx-eyed maître d'hotel, said, with Cardinal Wolsey, "Farewell, a long farewell to all my greatness ;"-Addio a tutta la mia grandezza."

The end of the Carnival was now approaching, and with it was to terminate my engagement. It was fortunate for the manager that his season was so near a close, for, returning one morning from a ball, where I had been heated by dancing, I caught a dreadful cold, which confined me to my bed, and an intermezzo opera was got up without me. In a short time I got rid of my fever, but my