The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Volume 07: Venice

"The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Volume 07: Venice" is a late 19th-century historical memoir that follows the adventures of Jacques Casanova, a famous man known for his many love affairs and meetings with important people in history. This volume explores Casanova's time in Vienna, where he gets to know poets, operas, and well-known figures, while also discussing the ideas of love and the rules of society at the time. Casanova tells the story of arriving in Vienna, struggling with money, and moving through different social groups. He meets Abbe Metastasio, has interesting talks about poetry and social issues, and describes how Empress Maria Theresa's tough rules about love create a tense environment. Casanova is amused by how seriously the police try to enforce being chaste, and he spends time with talented artists as romantic feelings arise with different characters, which prompts him to think about love, desire, and being free. This beginning mixes exciting love stories with smart observations about society, showing the attractive and difficult sides of 18th-century European high society.