“Within these few days I have read, but not written.

[Footnote 24:  In Boccacio, the name is, I think, Nastagio.]

“February 21, 1821.

“As usual, rode—­visited, &c.  Business begins to thicken.  The Pope has printed a declaration against the patriots, who, he says, meditate a rising.  The consequence of all this will be, that, in a fortnight, the whole country will be up.  The proclamation is not yet published, but printed, ready for distribution. * * sent me a copy privately—­a sign that he does not know what to think.  When he wants to be well with the patriots, he sends to me some civil message or other.

“For my own part, it seems to me, that nothing but the most decided success of the Barbarians can prevent a general and immediate rise of the whole nation.

“February 23, 1821.

“Almost ditto with yesterday—­rode, &c.—­visited—­wrote nothing—­read Roman History.

“Had a curious letter from a fellow, who informs me that the Barbarians are ill-disposed towards me.  He is probably a spy, or an impostor.  But be it so, even as he says.  They cannot bestow their hostility on one who loathes and execrates them more than I do, or who will oppose their views with more zeal, when the opportunity offers.

“February 24, 1821.

“Rode, &c. as usual.  The secret intelligence arrived this morning from the frontier to the Ci. is as bad as possible.  The plan has missed—­the Chiefs are betrayed, military, as well as civil—­and the Neapolitans not only have not moved, but have declared to the P. government, and to the Barbarians, that they know nothing of the matter!!!

“Thus the world goes; and thus the Italians are always lost for lack of union among themselves.  What is to be done here, between the two fires, and cut off from the Northern frontier, is not decided.  My opinion was,—­better to rise than be taken in detail; but how it will be settled now, I cannot tell.  Messengers are despatched to the delegates of the other cities to learn their resolutions.

“I always had an idea that it would be bungled; but was willing to hope, and am so still.  Whatever I can do by money, means, or person, I will venture freely for their freedom; and have so repeated to them (some of the Chiefs here) half an hour ago.  I have two thousand five hundred scudi, better than five hundred pounds, in the house, which I offered to begin with.

“February 25. 1821.

“Came home—­my head aches—­plenty of news, but too tiresome to set down.  I have neither read nor written, nor thought, but led a purely animal life all day.  I mean to try to write a page or two before I go to bed.  But, as Squire Sullen says, ’My head aches consumedly:  Scrub, bring me a dram!’ Drank some Imola wine, and some punch.

“Log-book continued[25].

[Footnote 25:  In another paper-book.]

“February 27. 1821.