This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1826 edition. Excerpt: ... alone; so when I left the Signora, I flew to the coffee-house, where I found the knight of the tail. I desired him to meet me at the Stella d' Oro tavern at three o'clock, where I would treat him with a capon. The innkeeper's poulterer was rather more punctual than my patron's, and we had an excellent dinner. I related my good fortune, and, in short, told him every thing that had occurred, except the advance which I had received; for, barring the importance of his tail, I thought the knight had a borrowing countenance. The Signora, with her husband, her lap-dog, servant, and myself, set off in a gondola for Mestra, where we found her travelling-carriage, in which we proceeded day and night, till we reached Gorizia, where we remained a day to repose ourselves. The part of the Venetian states through which we passed abounds in beauties; as Goldsmith says, " Could Nature's beauties satisfy the breast, The sons of Italy were surely blest." I suffered greatly from the cold, as we proceeded into Germany; the roads were hilly and heavy, the cattle miserable, and the post-boys incorrigible. But what was all this to me ? I was in a comfortable carriage, in pleasant society, and seated opposite to a beautiful woman of six-and-twenty. At length, we arrived at Gratz; Signora Benini's house was elegantly fitted up. The manager waited on her, and after dinner conducted me to the apartments which were taken for me. Before I quitted her, the Signora insisted on my accepting a cover at her table every day, and indeed evinced the greatest friendship and hospitality towards me. A great number of nobility resided in this pleasant lively city, and many rich merchants; but which was far better for me, a great number of Irish officers, among whom were...