[Letter XLVII, Vol. 2]

The sort of square in which my house was situated, was soon filled with people, but again abandoned; so that the stage, at intervals, remained clear. And that there might not be wanting some strange resemblance to an Italian drama, three men of a low description, who were apparently ignorant of the alarm, suddenly appeared, tuned their guitars, and began a serenade. Their ill-timed music was paid in a coin which they little expected: a party of soldiers issued from the military governor's house, opposite to that which I inhabit, surrounded the unfortunate musicians, and drove them away to assist at the extinction of the fire.