“Ravenna, January 20. 1820.

“I have not decided any thing about remaining at Ravenna.  I may stay a day, a week, a year, all my life; but all this depends upon what I can neither see nor foresee.  I came because I was called, and will go the moment that I perceive what may render my departure proper.  My attachment has neither the blindness of the beginning, nor the microscopic accuracy of the close to such liaisons; but ‘time and the hour’ must decide upon what I do.  I can as yet say nothing, because I hardly know any thing beyond what I have told you.

“I wrote to you last post for my movables, as there is no getting a lodging with a chair or table here ready; and as I have already some things of the sort at Bologna which I had last summer there for my daughter, I have directed them to be moved; and wish the like to be done with those of Venice, that I may at least get out of the ‘Albergo Imperiale,’ which is imperial in all true sense of the epithet.  Buffini may be paid for his poison.  I forgot to thank you and Mrs. Hoppner for a whole treasure of toys for Allegra before our departure; it was very kind, and we are very grateful.

“Your account of the weeding of the Governor’s party is very entertaining.  If you do not understand the consular exceptions, I do; and it is right that a man of honour, and a woman of probity, should find it so, particularly in a place where there are not ’ten righteous.’  As to nobility—­in England none are strictly noble but peers, not even peers’ sons, though titled by courtesy; nor knights of the garter, unless of the peerage, so that Castlereagh himself would hardly pass through a foreign herald’s ordeal till the death of his father.

“The snow is a foot deep here.  There is a theatre, and opera,—­the Barber of Seville.  Balls begin on Monday next.  Pay the porter for never looking after the gate, and ship my chattels, and let me know, or let Castelli let me know, how my law-suits go on—­but fee him only in proportion to his success.  Perhaps we may meet in the spring yet, if you are for England.  I see H * * has got into a scrape, which does not please me; he should not have gone so deep among those men without calculating the consequences.  I used to think myself the most imprudent of all among my friends and acquaintances, but almost begin to doubt it.

     “Yours,” &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 354.  TO MR. HOPPNER.

     “Ravenna, January 31. 1820.