The pen-utilities themselves don’t pass uncontested, as you observe.  Yes, I see the ‘Spiritual Magazine,’ and remarked how I was scourged in the house of my friends.  Robert shouted in triumph at it, and hoped I was pleased, and as for myself, it really did make me smile a little, which was an advantage, in the sad humour I was in at the time.  ‘Biologised by infernal spirits since “Casa Guidi Windows"’ yet ’Casa Guidi Windows’ was not wholly vicious it seems to me, nor ‘Aurora’ utterly corrupt.  And Mr. Howitt is both a clever man, and an honest and brave man, for all his sweeping opinions.  Biologised and be-Harrised he is certainly.  What an extraordinary admiration!  I wonder at that more than at any of the external spiritual phenomena.  Dearest Fanny, you were very, very good and generous to take my part with the editor—­but laissez faire.  These things do one no harm—­and, for me, they don’t even vex me.  I had an anonymous letter from England the other day, from somebody who recognised me, he said, in some prodigious way as a great Age-teacher, all but divine, I believe, and now gave me up on account of certain atrocities—­first, for the poem ’Pan’[92] in the ‘Cornhill’ (considered immoral!) and then for having had my ’brain so turned by the private attentions and flatteries of the Emperor Napoleon when I was in Paris, that I have devoted myself since to help him in the gratification of his selfish ambitions.’  Conceive of this, written with an air of conviction, and on the best information.  Now, of the two imputations, I much prefer ‘the inspiration from hell.’  There’s something grandiose about that, to say nothing of the superior honesty of the position.

What a ‘mountainous me’ I am ‘piling up’ in this letter, I who want rather to write of you....

Italy ought not to draw you just now, Fanny.  We are all looking for war, and wondering where the safety is.  A Piccolomini said yesterday that it was as safe at Rome as in Florence, which only proved Florence unsafe.  Austria may come down on Central Italy any day; and sooner or later there must be war.  The Storys are alarmed enough to avoid going back to Rome until the end of November, when things may be a little arranged.  The indignation here is great against ‘questa canaglia di Germania.’  Toeplitz means mischief both against France and Italy—­that is plain.  The Prince of Prussia gave his ‘parole de gentilhomme’ meaning the word of a rascal.  My poor Venice!  But you will see presently, only the fear is that our fire here may flash very far.  In any case, it would not be desirable for Englishmen to come southwards this year.  Our plans for the winter depend entirely on circumstances.  If we can go to Rome in any reasonable security, I suppose we shall go.  But I have no heart for plans just now.