“It wants half an hour of midnight, and rains;—­as Gibbet says, ’a fine night for their enterprise—­dark as hell, and blows like the devil.’  If the row don’t happen now, it must soon.  I thought that their system of shooting people would soon produce a re-action—­and now it seems coming.  I will do what I can in the way of combat, though a little out of exercise.  The cause is a good one.

“Turned over and over half a score of books for the passage in question, and can’t find it.  Expect to hear the drum and the musquetry momently (for they swear to resist, and are right,)—­but I hear nothing, as yet, save the plash of the rain and the gusts of the wind at intervals.  Don’t like to go to bed, because I hate to be waked, and would rather sit up for the row, if there is to be one.

“Mended the fire—­have got the arms—­and a book or two, which I shall turn over.  I know little of their numbers, but think the Carbonari strong enough to beat the troops, even here.  With twenty men this house might be defended for twenty-four hours against any force to be brought against it, now in this place, for the same time; and, in such a time, the country would have notice, and would rise,—­if ever they will rise, of which there is some doubt.  In the mean time, I may as well read as do any thing else, being alone.

“January 8. 1821, Monday.

“Rose, and found Count P.G. in my apartments.  Sent away the servant.  Told me that, according to the best information, the Government had not issued orders for the arrests apprehended; that the attack in Forli had not taken place (as expected) by the Sanfedisti—­the opponents of the Carbonari or Liberals—­and that, as yet, they are still in apprehension only.  Asked me for some arms of a better sort, which I gave him.  Settled that, in case of a row, the Liberals were to assemble here (with me), and that he had given the word to Vincenzo G. and others of the Chiefs for that purpose.  He himself and father are going to the chase in the forest; but V.G. is to come to me, and an express to be sent off to him, P.G., if any thing occurs.  Concerted operations.  They are to seize—­but no matter.

“I advised them to attack in detail, and in different parties, in different places (though at the same time), so as to divide the attention of the troops, who, though few, yet being disciplined, would beat any body of people (not trained) in a regular fight—­unless dispersed in small parties, and distracted with different assaults.  Offered to let them assemble here, if they choose.  It is a strongish post—­narrow street, commanded from within—­and tenable walls.