Hôtel de la Grande Bretagne
Florence Saturday May 15th
My dear Henry
Not knowing that you intended making a three days’ journey to Rome, or that the post took 2 days coming from thence to Florence, we had been wondering and complaining all yesterday, & a very little (I am ashamed to say) even the day before, at neither you nor Monie having written a line – and we feared you were both ill with the heat! But today we are quite re-assured – and pleased that you are getting on well, so far; – as both your letters express – Tell Monie that the suggestions in hers about spending a month in a Villa at Perugia, have been carefully considered – but that we think there are doubtful points attending the scheme, & indispensable and resources & and advantages in less remote places; and that it would be premature to take any decisive steps, before your return; when the whole thing should again be talked over calmly & rationally – All the difficulty about Italian servants is certainly greater than your informant at Perugia would wish you to believe. For the truth of this fact we have the best Authority: and such as I must state to you as clearly as I can. A wealthy American family are come to this Hôtel at Florence, for a few days on their way from Rome, where they passed the winter – They had a very charming Palace, & engaged servants, with the intention of occupying it for [illegible deletion] six months. Their courier is an experienced man, & an excellent Manager, and had the sole control of everything – He provided amply for the cuisine, without regard to expense, but all to no purpose. His family were half starved, from the shameful cheating of the Cook, and they lost many things from the general dishonesty of the other Servants – these were dismissed, & others engaged, but at last in spite of every effort to conduct the establishment with comfort, they were obliged to give it up, and remove to an hôtel. – Not at all pleasant! So don’t plague yourselves & waste you time, in examining private residences of which we may never perhaps be able to avail ourselves – unless indeed you discover a way of getting clear of the difficulty –
Have you written to Tilly or to John to suggest the idea of their joining us, in the way we thought of, by his asking the Duke for a years leave? Ela heard from her sister 2 or 3 days ago, but we do not like to write ourselves to Dabton, without knowing what to say about our own plans – though Tilly ought to be appraised of the change, and she may hear of our having let the Edinburgh house, without the least understanding what it can mean. – I have a letter for you from Mushet, to state that the family entered on the 13th & the cleaning of the house is delayed till further on in the summer, when they will be in the country.
It was very hot here on Thurs-day – and so oppressive yesterday that we did not go out at all. – Indeed we could scarcely read or occupy ourselves at all; but there has been a Thunder storm somewhere, & the air is much lighter & fresher today – And we shall take an airing at six – We dine now at the 4 O’clock table d’hôte, & many others do the same – We think it suits us much better. I forwarded a letter to you from Charles, which I hope you recd.
Love to dear Monie. Ela will perhaps write to her tomorrow – but this letter of mine is an answer to hers as well as to yours – I am sorry to send such a confused scrawl – but writing bothers me always now. –
Your affectionate
Constance