I found out that I could not obtain a passport, for the simple reason that the authorities of the city persisted that it was not necessary; but I knew better, and it was not for me to tell them why.  I resolved to write to the French officer who had treated me so well at the guardhouse.  I begged him to enquire at the war office whether my passport had arrived from Rome, and, if so, to forward it to me.  I also asked him to find out the owner of the horse who had run away with me, offering to pay for it.  I made up my mind to wait for Therese in Bologna, and I informed her of my decision, entreating her to write very often.  The reader will soon know the new resolution I took on the very same day.

MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798

Venetian years, Volume 1c—­military career

The rare unabridged London edition of 1894 translated by Arthur Machen to which has been added the chapters discovered by Arthur Symons.

MILITARY CAREER

CHAPTER XIII

I Renounce the Clerical Profession, and Enter the Military
Service—­Therese Leaves for Naples, and I Go to Venice—­I Am Appointed
Ensign in the Army of My Native Country—­I Embark for Corfu, and Land at
Orsera to Take a Walk

I had been careful, on my arrival in Bologna, to take up my quarters at a small inn, so as not to attract any notice, and as soon as I had dispatched my letters to Therese and the French officer, I thought of purchasing some linen, as it was at least doubtful whether I should ever get my trunk.  I deemed it expedient to order some clothes likewise.  I was thus ruminating, when it suddenly struck me that I was not likely now to succeed in the Church, but feeling great uncertainty as to the profession I ought to adopt, I took a fancy to transform myself into an officer, as it was evident that I had not to account to anyone for my actions.  It was a very natural fancy at my age, for I had just passed through two armies in which I had seen no respect paid to any garb but to the military uniform, and I did not see why I should not cause myself to be respected likewise.  Besides, I was thinking of returning to Venice, and felt great delight at the idea of shewing myself there in the garb of honour, for I had been rather ill-treated in that of religion.

I enquired for a good tailor:  death was brought to me, for the tailor sent to me was named Morte.  I explained to him how I wanted my uniform made, I chose the cloth, he took my measure, and the next day I was transformed into a follower of Mars.  I procured a long sword, and with my fine cane in hand, with a well-brushed hat ornamented with a black cockade, and wearing a long false pigtail, I sallied forth and walked all over the city.