Chapter 62

"Ravenna, June 20. 1819.

"I wrote to you from Padua, and from Bologna, and since from Ravenna. I find my situation very agreeable, but want my horses very much, there being good riding in the environs. I can fix no time for my return to Venice--it may be soon or late--or not at all--it all depends on the Donna, whom I found very seriously in _bed_ with a cough and spitting of blood, &c. all of which has subsided. I found all the people here firmly persuaded that she would never recover;--they were mistaken, however.

"My letters were useful as far as I employed them; and I like both the place and people, though I don't trouble the latter more than I can help _She_ manages very well--but if I come away with a stiletto in my gizzard some fine afternoon, I shall not be astonished. I can't make _him_ out at all--he visits me frequently, and takes me out (like Whittington, the Lord Mayor) in a coach and _six_ horses. The fact appears to be, that he is completely _governed_ by her--for that matter, so am I.[38] The people here don't know what to make of us, as he had the character of jealousy with all his wives--this is the third. He is the richest of the Ravennese, by their own account, but is not popular among them. Now do, pray, send off Augustine, and carriage and cattle, to Bologna, without fail or delay, or I shall lose my remaining shred of senses. Don't forget this. My coming, going, and every thing, depend upon HER entirely, just as Mrs. Hoppner (to whom I remit my reverences) said in the true spirit of female prophecy.

"You are but a shabby fellow not to have written before. And I am truly yours," &c.

[Footnote 38: That this task of "governing" him was one of more ease than, from the ordinary view of his character, might be concluded, I have more than once, in these pages, expressed my opinion, and shall here quote, in corroboration of it, the remark of his own servant (founded on an observation of more than twenty years), in speaking of his master's matrimonial fate:--

"It is very odd, but I never yet knew a lady that could not manage my Lord, _except_ my Lady."

"More knowledge," says Johnson, "may be gained of a man's real character by a short conversation with one of his servants than from the most formal and studied narrative."]

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