Old Age and Death | Page 9

wife.

IV PUBLICATIONS
Casanova's principal writings during this period were:
His translation of the Iliad, the first volume of which was issued in
1775, the second in 1777 and the third in 1778.
During his stay at Abano in 1778, he wrote the Scrutinio del libro,
eulogies of M. de Voltaire "by various hands." In the dedication of this
book, to the Doge Renier, he wrote, "This little book has recently come
from my inexperienced pen, in the hours of leisure which are frequent
at Abano for those who do not come only for the baths."
From January until July 1780, he published, anonymously, a series of
miscellaneous small works, seven pamphlets of about one hundred
pages each, distributed at irregular intervals to subscribers.
From the 7th October to the end of December, 1780, on the occasions
of the representations given by a troupe of French comedians at the San
Angelo theater, Casanova wrote a little paper called The Messenger of
Thalia. In one of the numbers, he wrote:
"French is not my tongue; I make no pretentions and, wrong or astray, I
place on the paper what heaven sends from my pen. I give birth to
phrases turned to Italian, either to see what they look like or to produce
a style, and often, also, to draw, into a purist's snare, some critical
doctor who does not know my humor or how my offense amuses me."
The "little romance" referred to in the following letter to "Mlle. X----
C---- V---- ," appeared in 1782, with the title; 'Di anecdoti vinizani
militari a amorosi del secolo decimo quarto sotto i dogati di Giovanni
Gradenigoe di Giovanni Dolfin'. Venezia, 1782.

V MLLE. X . . . C . . . V. . .

In 1782, a letter written by this lady, Giustina de Wynne, referring to a
visit to Venice of Paul I, Grand Duke, afterward Emperor of Russia,
and his wife, was published under the title of Du sejour des Comptes du
Nord a Venise en janvier mdcclxxxii. If he had not previously done so,
Casanova took this occasion to recall himself to the memory of this
lady to whom he had once been of such great service. And two very
polite letters were exchanged:
"Madam,
"The fine epistle which V. E. has allowed to be printed upon the
sojourn of C. and of the C. du Nord in this city, exposes you, in the
position of an author, to endure the compliments of all those who
trouble themselves to write. But I flatter myself, Madam, that V. E. will
not disdain mine.
"The little romance, Madam, a translation from my dull and rigid pen,
is not a gift but a very paltry offering which I dare make to the
superiority of your merit.
"I have found, Madam, in your letter, the simple, flowing style of
gentility, the one which alone a woman of condition who writes to her
friend may use with dignity. Your digressions and your thoughts are
flowers which . . . (forgive an author who pilfers from you the delicious
nonchalance of an amiable writer) or . . . a will-o'-the-wisp which, from
time to time, issues from the work, in spite of the author, and burns the
paper.
"I aspire, Madam, to render myself favorable to the deity to which
reason advises me to make homage. Accept then the offering and
render happy he who makes it with your indulgence.
"I have the honor to sign myself, if you will kindly permit me, with
very profound respect.
"Giacomo Casanova."
"Monsieur
"I am very sensible, Monsieur, of the distinction which comes to me
from your approbation of my little pamphlet. The interest of the
moment, its references and the exaltation of spirits have gained for it
the tolerance and favorable welcome of the good Venetians. It is to
your politeness in particular, Monsieur, that I believe is due the marked
success which my work has had with you. I thank you for the book
which you sent me and I will risk thanking you in advance for the

pleasure it will give me. Be persuaded of my esteem for yourself and
for your talents. And I have the honor to be, Monsieur.
"Your very humble servant de Wynne de Rosemberg."
Among Casanova's papers at Dux was a page headed "Souvenir," dated
the 2nd September 1791, and beginning: "While descending the
staircase, the Prince de Rosemberg told me that Madame de Rosemberg
was dead . . . . This Prince de Rosemberg was the nephew of Giustina."
Giustina died, after a long illness, at Padua, the 21st August 1791, at
the age of fifty-four years and seven months.

VI LAST DAYS AT VENICE
Toward the end of 1782, doubtless convinced that he could expect
nothing more