Hôtel de l’Europe, Venice.
Thursday Novr 4th 1868
My dear Henry
I had your letter, (with the astonishing news of an Earthquake at Lacock), yesterday evening. – You can fancy into what a state of surprise it threw us, and what an animated discussion followed! All, except myself, exclaimed, “Oh how I wish I had been there”! – but I confessed that I shouldn’t have liked being so startled – and felt inclined to pity you for your isolation under the novelty of the situation. It was a pity Charles was absent. I think he will have regretted it himself. – but I scarcely wish him a second chance. Really the course of Nature is most remarkably disturbed this season, in all parts of the world! Did you read, a short time back, how strangely the Baltic had receded from the shore around Cronstadt, & in two or three days after, the waters arose to a higher level than ordinary? –
Mr & Mrs Abbott <1>(whose arrival at Venice you will have learnt by Monie’s last letter to Charles) were sitting with us when your letter came; & hearing the news; which led Mrs Abbott to tell us of her experiences of earthquakes at Malta, when she was at that station with her father, the late Admiral Sir Wm Parker.
I am so glad you think we made a wise determination in regard to our winter quarters. Being so well and comfortable at Venice, it would certainly have been unwise to plunge into difficulties for the sake of change: especially to a place so far less interesting than Venice. We hope Charles will join us soon, at least so as to avoid the shortest days & coldest weather for travelling – Monie wrote to him last Sunday or Monday (I forget which) and strongly advised him to bring out plenty of warm things.
She meant to have told him that he must especially provide himself with flannel waistcoats & warm stockings, as these articles cannot be bought at Venice. also that all new clothing must be worn before starting on the journey – otherwise he will have to pay duty on each article – Please to say all this to him as a message from Monie – for it deserves his best attention, – be sure you tell him.
We had a pretty fair specimen of sea fog yesterday & the day before – but no rain – and by keeping on the wood fire in our salon, & once heating of the stoves in our bedrooms, we felt quite comfortable. – I have given up the open gondola since the change to colder weather about a fortnight ago, and I can manage a little walking on fine days. It is just the right distance for me through the place St. Mare, & the Piazzetta to the sunny terrace alongside the Kings garden, where there are benches to sit on, in the full sunshine – which I find very pleasant.
I am glad you mean to write soon to Mademoiselle Amélina, & then I dare say she will reward you in kind for I know she has more to tell you of the Princes she meets at the Table d’hôte,
With love from all, I am your affectionate
Constance.
Did you remember to pay my 21/ to Mr West Awdry for the Idiots? –
Notes:
1. Francis Abbott, Secretary of General Post Office, Edinburgh, and his wife, Frances Jane, née Parker.