My friends at Nice, with the exception of Dr. S⸺, thought me insane, when, on the approach of spring, I declared my intention of proceeding southward, to make the tour of Italy, as the whole of the country was in an agitated state, in consequence of the advance of the Austrians upon Naples, hostilities having actually commenced on the frontiers. In addition, the Milanese and Piedmont were supposed to be highly discontented, and an insurrection was anticipated throughout the whole of Italy; but when my resolution is fixed, I do not allow myself to be deterred by the anticipation, or dread of difficulties; in the event of the fears of my friends being realized, I was disposed to think I should have an equal, or better chance of getting safely away from Florence, than from Nice; for instance, I could, in a few hours reach Leghorn, at which place there would be every probability of my being able to embark on board an English vessel, or of getting to the neighbouring island where Lord Byron desires Bonaparte to hasten, concluding his verse with a just compliment to his own country. “Then haste thee to thy sullen isle, And gaze upon the sea; That element may meet thy smile, It ne’er was ruled by thee.” On the contrary, in the event of a revolution at Nice, there would be little chance of getting away, by sea or land. My ideas, in this respect, were in some degree realized; a revolution did take place there, and for three days the greatest consternation prevailed, as there was an embargo laid upon all horses at Nice, in order to facilitate the movements of the king and his government; and at the same time not an English vessel off the port. On arriving at Florence, it was my intention to regulate my future movements according to circumstances, and the alternatives of these it was not difficult to foresee. In the event of the Austrians being successful in the first instance, the war was certain to be of short duration; whereas, on the other hand, if the Neapolitans proved able to support the onset, there was little doubt but that the whole of Italy would be in arms, to assert its independence, and to compel a free constitution from its rulers. Influenced by these considerations, I determined to proceed, nor have I found any reason to regret the decision. CHAP. XII. VOYAGE TO GENOA. On the 26th of February, 1821, I left Nice in the Divine Providence felucca, of eleven tons, bound to Genoa, with a freight of passengers only, not having been able to procure a cargo.