“Here we are going to war and to bankruptcy together. The only question is, Which will be first? That infernal knave L. Nap. has done it all, and the Italians are always cheated by him through thinking that they are greater cheats than himself. But an old boatman of mine at Spezzia said, ‘There are three _nations_ that would out-rogue the devil,--the Calibrese, the Corsicans, and the _Pigs_.’ How the last came to their nationality I can’t explain. “You have seen notice of the Bishop of Limerick’s death. I don’t think he has, in one respect, left his equal behind him in the Irish Bench. He was the most thoroughly tolerant man I ever knew, and half a dozen men like him would do more to neutralise the acrimony of public feeling in Ireland than all the Acts of Parliament. His intellect was just as genial as his heart.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “Florence, _May_ 15, 1866. “I wish I could pack myself up in the envelope that holds this and join you at breakfast in that pleasant parlour in the Old Burlington, where we laughed so much last spring; but there are good reasons for not saluting the General, beginning with the small one, ‘no powder.’ “Here we are in ruin. Gold and silver are all withdrawn from circulation, and the small notes promised by the Government delayed in issue to enable a set of scoundrelly officials to sell the reserve gold at 10 per cent and silver at 12. The banks will not discount, nor will they advance (the latter of most moment to _me_), and we are in all the pains of bankruptcy without that protection which a prison affords against dunning. “I sent off ‘Sir B.’ proof to-day to W. B. I am sincerely glad you like it. “I make no way towards strength or spirits. I believe with _me_ they mean the same thing. “If we have no war, we shall have a revolution here. All the good powder will not be wasted!” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “Villa Morelli, Florence, _June_ 11,1866. “Is it ignorant or wilful stupidity in the English papers that ignores the part L. Nap. is playing in the foreign imbroglio? It is one or the other. The whole machinery is his; and the very hot enthusiasm we see here was first excited by P. Napoleon’s visit and the encouragement the ‘Reds’ got from him. “If Elliot were worth a sou, England would have been able to avert the war. There was one moment in which Austria would have listened, _if only warned of the treachery_ planned against her. Hudson would have been the man here. “Don’t send me any bill or cheque, for we are deluged with paper money here, and are obliged to pay from 5 to 8 per cent to change large notes into small. Even the 100-f. note costs this. I must try and get money out in gold (Naps., not sovereigns) through F. O. Any of the messengers will take it. Could you find out for me if it would be more profitable to buy Naps, in London, or change notes or sovereigns for them in Paris? Already this new form of robbery is half ruining us all here.