Alas! my fears proved only too prophetic.
Salimberi died a year ago in the Tyrol in the prime of life, with the calmness of a true philosopher.

His death compelled me to earn my living with the assistance of my musical talent.

My mother advised me to continue to give myself out as a castrato, in the hope of being able to take me to Rome.

I agreed to do so, for I did not feel sufficient energy to decide upon any other plan.

In the meantime she accepted an offer for the Ancona Theatre, and Petronio took the part of first female dancer; in this way we played the comedy of 'The World Turned Upside Down.' "After Salimberi, you are the only man I have known, and, if you like, you can restore me to my original state, and make me give up the name of Bellino, which I hate since the death of my protector, and which begins to inconvenience me.