Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/398

 nice. We wrote therefore to our spouses, to acquaint them with our intended departure, and promised to return within a twelvemonth at farthest. CHAP. XIII.XII. [sic]

our arrival at Venice, we found an astonishing concourse of strangers, Never was there a carnival more brilliant. The square at St. Mark was crowded all day long with thousands of curious masks. Plays, balls, pleasure-excursions gave a fair display to the spirit of intrigue and gallantry.

He that does not thrive successfully among the Venetian ladies, may renounce love and love-matters for life. The count and I were every where known, and having no reason to keep incognito, we resolved to spare no expences to do honor to our rank. We were of course looked upon as good and substantial conquests. The count, owing to his consummate personal accomplishments won many a heart, and I must confess, that the figure