In truth, his constant recurrence to the praise of avarice in Don Juan, and the humorous zest with which he delights to dwell on it, shows how new-fangled, as well as far from serious, was his adoption of this "good old-gentlemanly vice." In the same spirit he had, a short time before my arrival at Venice, established a hoarding-box, with a slit in the lid, into which he occasionally put sequins, and, at stated periods, opened it to contemplate his treasures. His own ascetic style of living enabled him, as far as himself was concerned, to gratify this taste for enonomy in no ordinary degree,--his daily bill of fare, when the Margarita was his companion, consisting, I have been assured, of but four beccafichi of which the Fornarina eat three leaving even him hungry. HIS MEMOIRS. (1819)--A short time before dinner he left the room, and in a minute or two returned, carrying in his hand a white leather bag. "Look here," he said, holding it up,--"this would be worth something to Murray, though _you_, I dare say, would not give sixpence for it." "What is it?" I asked.--"My Life and Adventures," he answered. On hearing this, I raised my hands in a gesture of wonder. "It is not a thing," he continued, "that can be published during my lifetime, but you may have it if you like--there, do whatever you please with it." In taking the bag, and thanking him most warmly, I added, "This will make a nice legacy for my little Tom, who shall astonish the latter days of the nineteenth century with it." He then added, "You may show it to any of our friends you may think worthy of it:"--and this is nearly word for word, the whole of what passed between us on the subject. _To Mr. Moore._ "January 2nd, 1820. "My Dear Moore, "'To-day it is my wedding-day, And all the folks would stare If wife should dine at Edmonton, And I should dine at Ware.' Or _thus_-- "Here's a happy new year! but with reason I beg you'll permit me to say-- Wish me _many_ returns of the _season_, But as _few_ as you please of the _day_. "My this present writing is to direct you that, _if she chooses_, she may see the MS. Memoir in your possession. I wish her to have fair play, in all cases, even though it will not be published till after my decease. For this purpose, it were but just that Lady B. should know what is their said of her and hers, that she may have full power to remark on or respond to any part or parts, as may seem fitting to herself. This is fair dealing, I presume, in all events. "To change the subject, are you in England? I send you an epitaph for Castlereagh. * * * * * Another for Pitt-- "With death doom'd to grapple Beneath this cold slab, he Who lied in the Chapel Now lies in the Abbey. "The gods seem to have made me poetical this day-- "In digging up your bones, Tom Paine, Will. Cobbett has done well: You visit him on earth again, He'll visit you in hell. Or--