“Francesca Buschina.”

III

Correspondence and activities

In 1787, a book was published under the title of ’Dreissig Brief uber Galizien by Traunpaur’, which included this passage:  “The most famous adventurers of two sorts (there are two, in fact:  honest adventurers and adventurers of doubtful reputation) have appeared on the scene of the kingdom of Poland.  The best known on the shores of the Vistula are:  the miraculous Cagliostro:  Boisson de Quency, grand charlatan, soldier of fortune, decorated with many orders, member of numerous Academies:  the Venetian Casanova of Saint-Gall, a true savant, who fought a duel with Count Branicki:  the Baron de Poellnitz . . . the lucky Count Tomatis, who knew so well how to correct fortune, and many others.”

In June 1789, Casanova received a letter from Teresa Boisson de Quency, the wife of the adventurer above referred to: 

“Much honored Monsieur Giacomo: 

“For a long time I have felt a very particular desire to evidence to you the estimation due your spirit and your eminent qualities:  the superb sonnet augmented my wish.  But the inconveniences of childbirth and the cares required by a little girl whom I adore, made me defer this pleasure.  During my husband’s absence, your last and much honored letter came to my hands.  Your amiable compliments to me, engage me to take the pen to give you renewed assurance that you have in me a sincere admirer of your great talent . . . .  When I wish to point out a person who writes and thinks with excellence, I name Monsieur Casanova . . . .”

In 1793, Teresa de Quency wished to return to Venice at which time Zaguri wrote Casanova:  “The Bassani has received letters from her husband which tell her nothing more than that he is alive.”

Casanova passed the months of May, June and July 1788 at Prague, supervising the printing of the Histoire de ma fuite.

“I remember laughing very heartily at Prague, six years ago, on learning that some thin-skinned ladies, on reading my flight from The Leads, which was published at that date, took great offense at the above account, which they thought I should have done well to leave out.”

In May he was troubled with an attack of the grippe.  In October, he was in Dresden, apparently with his brother.  Around this time “The Magdalene,” a painting by Correggio, was stolen from the Museum of the Elector.

On the 30th October 1788, Casanova wrote to the Prince Belozelski, Russian Minister to the Court of Dresden:  “Tuesday morning, after having embraced my dear brother, I got into a carriage to return here.  At the barrier on the outskirts of Dresden, I was obliged to descend, and six men carried the two chests of my carriage, my two night-bags and my capelire into a little chamber on the ground level, demanded my keys, and examined everything . . . .  The youngest of these infamous executors of such an order told me they were searching for ’The Magdalene! . . .  The oldest had the impudence to put his hands on my waistcoat . . . .  At last they let me go.