“What a fizzle our friends of the Italian fleet present! They said a few days back that they were in the Tyrol with Garibaldi. He too is not adding to his fame,--but who is in this war? Not La Marmora certainly.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “Croce di Malta, Spezzia, July 28, 1866. “I am here in the midst of great excitement, the late sea-fight being to our naval population the most exciting of all topics. If the Admiral Persano were to venture to land at Genoa at this moment, they would tear him in pieces. The more generously minded only call him a coward, but the masses believe him to be a traitor and to have sold the fleet. This, of course, is the sort of falsehood that could only gain currency amongst Italians. It is alleged that in changing from the _Re d’Italia_ to the _Affondatore_ his flag was never struck on the former, and consequently the whole of the Austrian attack was directed to a vessel where the admiral was supposed to be. As to the _Affondatore_, she was kept out of the action, some say a mile off,--and the terrific losses of ships and men were actually incurred by officers being driven to desperation by the misconduct of their chief. “The prefect here has just shown me a despatch saying Persano is to be tried by court-martial, and it will require all the skill of Government to get him off, and they may seriously endanger the very monarchy (as he is the personal friend of the king) in the attempt. “The Austrian artillery went through the iron plating as if it were two-inch plank, and the Yankee-built ship, the _Re_, was sunk by shot-holes. The _Affondatore_, too (Blackwall built), was riddled, while the Italian guns did positively nothing. “The Italians certainly fought manfully, and, though beaten, were not dishonoured. As for the Austrians, horrible stories are told of their shooting,--the men struggling in the water and hacking with their sabres the poor fellows who clung to the boats. If these stories were not guaranteed by men of station and character, they would be unworthy of any credit, but I am driven to believe they are not falsehoods. “I am here sailing and swimming and laying up a store of health and strength to carry me on, _Deo volente_, through the hot late summer of Florence.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “Villa Morelli, Florence, _July_ 30, 1866. “I have got (this moment) yours of the 23rd, and the cheque, for which I thank you. ‘One way or other,’ as Lord Derby says, I am terribly crippled for gilt, and the money came most apropos.