San Remo – Friday Dec^r 6^th 1867 –

My dear Henry

I have just received your letter of December 1^st – and though I wrote again on November 29. (the answer to which I am hoping to get next Monday) and Ela wrote on De^r 1^st, I think you will still be wishing to hear how Monie has been progressing since the last account. Besides you will like to compare our weather with yours – Some of these last days have been a disgrace to the climate of San Remo! unexampled in the experience of the resident Doctors & Hôtel keepers – I don’t mean to say that we have had such a degree of cold as you speak of – in your letter – no frosted windows, or injury to the gardens beyond what rain & wind invariable produce by dashing the flowers – but we have had 2 or 3 days together of continued gloom – 1 days of regular snow showers with high winds – and more wretchedly uncomfortable days than I have kept the register of. – We had sun yesterday to revive our spirits, but today is again as dark as before, with drizzling rain at intervals – Now I cannote quite convey to your mind how objectionable dark skies are at San Remo; because we are all so familiar with them in England & Scotland that we scarcely notice the thing as a positive evil – Here it is totally different – Imagine a long struggling hôtel, very slightly built – the walls thin – windows without inside shutters or warm curtains – doors & windows of the lightest construction, & fitting as badly as possible – fire places like small square holes, placed too far back in the wall, and miserably cut shabby bits of wood that give out scarcely any heat for firing, and you will understand at once that S. Remo is not a fit place to live in without Sun. And the changes of temperature within doors are very trying – as a natural consequence. Some days our South rooms are too hot to bear with closed windows – so intense is the power of the Sun – when this is taken away, there are no means of warming the rooms artificially. Monie recovers more slowly under these disadvantages – She has had much head ache from debility – so much languor during 2 or 3 days since we last wrote, as to be obliged to keep as quiet as possible, lying down most of the day s – D^r Daubeny trys tonics of various kinds to improve her appetite & give her more power – and today I think she is rather more brisk – but she gets on slowly – and I cannot say until she begins to get into the open air how soon she may be fit for a journey – so no more of places until I get your next letter, as I hope on Monday. But to remove unnecessary anxiety I ought to tell you that her cough is much better – and the doctor considers it much more a bronchial affection than anything else – He is satisfied that there is not existing disease – but great general delicacy – Now to return to the subjects of your letter. We did not see any Meteors on the 14^th Nov^r. We do receive Galignani regularly. – I am glad Eliz Gray has given notice of receipt of the cheque I sent her. also that Mushet has the key which I enquired about. – I am aware that all our letters go round by Genoa, which is a stupid postal arrangement in my opinion, <ill. del.> causing much delay. We are all very much pleased that you intend to spend Xmas at Dabton with dear Tilly – After that, and when Spring in these parts is somewhat advanced, you will find it pleasanter to join us than you would do sooner. At any rate I am very glad you are not here now – There are no walks you would like – and this Hôtel life would not suit you at all. – You would be almost forced to mix with the other inmates of the house, and though good sort of people in their way, I am sure you would soon be tired of them. –

I will immediately write again on getting the answer I expect to my last letter – With love from all, I am you affectionate

Constance.