Story of My Life

Giacomo Casanova (1725-1798) was born in Venice, the son of actors who wanted him to become a priest. Instead he had numerous occupations, and is remembered as one of history's great lovers.Stephen Satarelli is a poet and translator of Italian and French literary works.Sophie Hawes is an artist, printmaker, and translator.Gilberto Pizzamiglio is Professor of Italian Literature at the University of Venice.

• Introduction by Gilberto PizzamiglioNote on the TextTranslators' NoteTHE STORY OF MY LIFEFamily history. My first memory. Journey to Padua.PrefaceIIIMy grandmother boards me at the home of Doctor Gozzi. My first acquaintance with love.IIIBettina believed to be mad. Father Mancia. The pox. I leave Padua.IVThe patriarch of Venice confers the minor orders on me. Getting to know Senator Malipiero, Teresa Imer, Father Tosello's niece, Signora Orio, Nanetta, Marta, and La Cavamacchie. I become a preacher. My adventure at Pasiano with Lucia.VMy brief but highly eventful visit to Ancona. Cecilia, Marina, Bellino. The Greek slave girl from the lazaretto. Bellino revealed.VIBellino Unmasked. His StoryVIIComic encounter at Orsara. Journey to Corfu. Sojourn in Constantinople. Bonneval. My return to Corfu.VIIII became a true good-for-nothing. A great stroke of luck raises me from destitution to the rank of wealthy gentleman.IXMy apprenticeship in Paris. Portraits. Oddities. A thousand things.XMy blunders in the French language, my successes, my many acquaintances. Louis XV. My brother arrives in Paris.XIMy sojourn in Vienna. Joseph II. My departure for Venice.XIIFirst meeting with M. M. Letter from C. C. Second meeting with the nun in my superb casino in Venice. I am happy.XIIIContinuation of the preceding chapter. Visit to the convent and conversation with M. M. Her letter to me and my answer. Rendezvous at the casino in Murano, witnessed by her lover.XIVUnder the lead roof. The earthquake. XVSoradaci's betrayal. The means I used to overwhelm him. Father Balbi succeeds in his task. I leave my cell. Count Asquini's untimely remarks. The moment of departure.XVIMy escape from the prison. I nearly lose my life on the roof. I leave the Ducal Palace, take ship and reach the mainland. Father Balbi exposes me to danger. The ruse by which I separate from him for the moment.XVIIVoltaire, my discussions with the great man. Ariosto. The duke of Villars. The syndic and his three lovely ladies. Debate at Voltaire's house.XVIIICardinal Passionei. The pope. Mariuccia. My arrival in Naples.XIXI reach Marseilles. Mme. D'Urfé. My niece is well received by Mme. Audibert. I get rid of my brother and Passano. Regeneration. Mme. d'Urfé departs. Marcolina's constancy.XXMy arrival in London. Mrs. Cornelys. I am presented at Court. I rent a furnished house. I meet many people. The customs of the English.XXILord Keith. Appointment with the king of Prussia in the garden of Sans Souci. My conversation with the monarch. La Denis. The Pomeranian cadets.XXIII meet the czarina. My conversations with the great Sovereign. La Valville. I leave Zaira. My departure from St. Petersburg and arrival in Warsaw. Princes Adam Czartoryski and Sulkowski. The king of Poland, Stanislaus Poniatowski, called Stanislaus Augustus I. Theatrical intrigues. Branicki.XXIIIMy duel with Branicki.XXIVMy departure from Paris. My journey to Madrid. The count of Aranda. The prince of La Catolica. The duke of Losada. Mengs. A ball. La Pichona. Doña Ignacia.XXVMy courtship of Doña Ignacia, the gentleman-cobbler's daughter. My imprisonment at Buen Retiro and my triumph. I am recommended to the Venetian ambassador by a State Inquisitor of the Republic.Notes