Hotel de Russie Rome.
Thrusd. 13 May
My Dear Constance
We arrived here last night about ½ past 10 oclock. We had a very pleasant journey, only the last day was fatiguing from the extreme slowness of the railway which took 6 hours to accomplish only 70 miles! we slept Monday at Perugia Tuesday at Terni, and got here Wednesday – This hotel seems comfortable, it is remarkably quiet compared with the continual jangling of bells at Florence, here there is only one distant church bell which gives no annoyance. We have a handsome Salon if we remain in it, but it is almost too grand for us. There are few persons in the house, little noise in the street, and Monie could hardly believe last night she was in Rome, all was so still and quiet – We had telegraph’d our arrival lest we should find the hotel closed for the night.
The Miss Stewarts are gone to Tivoli but will return tomorrow Evening. We are going this morning to see St Peters and the Vatican. The weather is very hot, with cloudless sunshine, but the evenings are cool, yesterday evening there was a fresh breeze and it was dark night long before we got to Rome and we drove through fields of fireflies sparkling most beautifully.
4 oclock – We have been to the Vatican & St Peters & are going to try if we can see the Farnese gardens wch are only visible on Thursdays. I will therefore continue my letter tomorrow
Monie says it is a pity you did not all come here but I am sure you would have been very tired with the journey though you wd have been much pleased occasionally
Your affte
Henry