this end Mr. Schutz Wilson, who had done so much for the Rubaiyat, was approached by one of Burton’s friends; and the following letter written to Burton after the interview will be read with some amusement.  “Dear Richard,” it runs, “‘Wox’ made me shudder!  If you give more specimens do be good and be sparing of the ‘pights,’ ‘ceres’ and ‘woxes.’  I showed the Lay to Schutz Wilson.  He seemed absorbed in the idea of Omar, and said ’Oh!  I am the cause of its going through five editions.’  I told him this was even more striking than Omar, but he didn’t seem able to take in the new idea!  When you want people’s minds they are always thinking of something else."[FN#336] Although the critics as a body fell foul of The Kasidah, still there were not wanting appreciators, and its four great lines have often been quoted.

102.  Lisa.

By this time Mrs. Burton had provided herself with another Chico.  Chico the Third (or Chica the Second) was a tall and lank, but well-built Italian girl, daughter of a baron.  Lisa had Khamoor’s ungovernable temper, but to the Burtons she at first exhibited the faithfulness of a dog.  Her father lived formerly at Verona, but in the war of 1866, having sided with Austria,[FN#337] he fell upon evil days; and retired to Trieste on a trifling pension.  Mrs. Burton and Lisa had not been long acquainted before Lisa became a member of the Burton household as a kind of lady’s maid, although she retained her title of Baroness, and Mrs. Burton at once set about Anglicising her new friend, though her attempt, as in Khamoor’s case, was only partially successful.  For instance, Lisa, would never wear a hat, “for fear of losing caste.”  She was willing, however, to hang out her stocking on Christmas eve; and on finding it full next morning said, “Oh, I like this game.  Shall we play it every night!” Just however, as a petted Khamoor had made a spoilt Khamoor; so a petted Lisa very soon made a spoilt Lisa.

With Mrs. Burton, her Jane Digbys, her Chicos, and her servants, Burton rarely interfered, and when he did interfere, it was only to make matters worse; for his judgment was weaker even than hers.  On one occasion, however, he took upon himself to dismiss the cook and to introduce another of his own finding.  On being requested to prepare the dinner the new acquisition set about it by drinking two bottles of wine, knocking down the housemaid, and beating the kitchenmaid with the saucepan.  Burton, who flew to their rescue, thought he must be in Somali-land once more.

   Chapter xxii
   August 1881-May 1882
   John Payne

103.  With Cameron at Venice, August 1881.