hat there is THAT brewing in Italy which will speedily
cut off all security of communication, and set all your
Anglo-travellers flying in every direction, with their usual
fortitude in foreign tumults. The Spanish and French affairs have
set the Italians in a ferment; and no wonder: they have been too
long trampled on. This will make a sad scene for your exquisite
traveller, but not for the resident, who naturally wishes a people
to redress itself. I shall, if permitted by the natives, remain to
see what will come of it, and perhaps to take a turn with them,
like Dugald Dalgetty and his horse, in case of business; for I
shall think it by far the most interesting spectacle and moment in
existence, to see the Italians send the barbarians of all nations
back to their own dens. I have lived long enough among them to feel
more for them as a nation than for any other people in existence.
But they want union, and they want principle; and I doubt their
success. However, they will try, probably, and if they do, it will
be a good cause. No Italian can hate an Austrian more than I do:
unless it be the English, the Austrians seem to me the most
obnoxious race under the sky.

"But I doubt, if any thing be done, it won't be so quietly as in
Spain. To be sure, revolutions are not to be made with rose-water,
where there are foreigners as masters.

"Write while you can; for it is but the toss up of a paul that
there will not be a row that will somewhat retard the mail by and
by.

"Yours," &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 369. TO MR. HOPPNER.

"Ravenna, April 18. 1820.

"I have caused write to Siri and Willhalm to send with Vincenza, in
a boat, the camp-beds and swords left in their care when I quitted
Venice. There are also several pounds of Mantons best powder in a
Japan case; but unless I felt sure of getting it away from V.
without seizure, I won't have it ventured. I can get it in here, by
means of an acquaintance in the customs, who has offered to get it
ashore for me; but should like to be certiorated of its safety in
leaving Venice. I would not lose it for its weight in gold--there
is none such in Italy, as I take it to be.

"I wrote to you a week or so ago, and hope you are in good plight
and spirits. Sir Humphry Dav