Return to Rome-Alarming illness of Anny-Prayer for her, by Ancient burying-ground discovered-Braschi palace-The Aus- Baths of Titus-Alarming seizure of Sir Walter St-His own conviction of his danger-Banditti at the gates of Rome- Continued illness of Sir Walter-Execution of two criminals- Villa Altieri-Sermon in the Coliseum-Scenes on Sunday- Benediction of the Austrian troops-Miracles of Pope Pius VII. 260 Arrival at Rome-Prison of St. Peter and St. Paul-Message THREE YEARS IN ITALY. LETTER I. Liverpool, March 20th, 1819. MY DEAR FRIEND, I HASTEN to fulfil my promise of letting you hear from me, and I hope to do so from time to time till my return, if it be the will of God to bring me again to my native shores. You know full well that my motive for quitting them was not a desire of seeing foreign countries, or of seeking any amusements in them which are not to be found in my own; but simply, because I am now so far recovered from my severe and long-continued illness, as to think myself able to follow those much-loved relatives to Italy, with whom, until this painful separation, I have shared all my joys and sorrows. My heart sometimes fails me when I think of the long voyage and journey before me, which now I must perform alone. But my fears have been the cause of my waiting too long already, in the hope of finding some companions; and I know that if B |