Hotel de l’Europe
Venice. Nov. 20^th

My dear Papa,

Please to thank Charles for his letter of the 15^th, by which I am glad to see that he is intending to start very shortly – We are glad also that he is intending to come by the Corniche – it is the wisest plan considering the lateness of the season for the chances are that he would have been delayed by the snow in crossing the M^t Cenis, the winter is such an early one and a very cold one is generally prophesied – What is your weather like at home? Both yesterday morning and the day before we rather felt as if we were in Edinburgh! actually a thick fog and a white frost and not so warm indoors – The sun is of course deliciously warm at midday when you are walking in a sheltered place and not exposed to the wind blowing across the snowy mountains – It is generally pretty calm but the air very sharp like St Remo with the addition of fogs at night which is no improvement, in my opinion, at least. I am sorry Charles will just miss the Abbotts ^<1> who are going on to Florence next Monday. they have much enjoyed their stay in Venice but cannot afford any more time here as they are bound for Rome and Naples – Sir Robert ^<2> & Lady Arbuthnot and daughter are here (at another hotel) and intend to spend some months – A Paris doctor recommended them Rome Venice or Pisa as a winter residence as if the climate was considered somewhat similar, and he (Sir Robert) considers this very mild as compared with Milan.

Did you hear of his calling upon you at Lacock in the summer and finding nobody at home they were in England for a few weeks on account of their son’s marriage – it was unlucky that both you and Charles were away but he was shown round the place by Wilkins –

I got you some ripe seed of the Arbor Vitæ from S^t Elena a few weeks ago we had to face a cloud of mosquitoes to procure it! – they were a great deal worse there than in Venice – but now they are all gone I am glad to say.

They have just put up a bridge of boats across the canal under our windows – it is a great business and only to last for one day on account of the Fête at the Church of San Salute opposite which takes place tomorrow formerly there used to be a grand procession headed by the Doge in State – but now it seems there is nothing at all – and the bridge only serves for the convenience of passengers –

Mamie got your letter of the 10^th for which she sends many thanks – I was quite sorry to have missed your earthquake at Lacock I should be rather afraid of one here – but out there it would only be a little excitement & one would not be afraid of its doing any harm. I see that Galignani mentions another eruption of Vesuvius –

When are you thinking of coming out yourself? the house will be so dreary and dull without Charles and you know you are going to have a very bad winter! Please to tell Goodwin that the small commissions I gave him the other day can perfectly wait till he comes himself – but he can send the Diary by book post if not too heavy.

We were very sorry indeed to hear of the death of Lady Emily Gaisford – have you heard any thing further and whether it was at all expected.

We send Charles a list of the hotels which he asked for – hoping it will be in line to catch him before he starts and please to thank him also for doing the commissions –

And now dear Papa I will wish Good bye

Yr affec^te daughter Ela

What do you think of the appointment of the New Archbishop of Canterbury? –

Monie hopes her letter directed to you or to Charles was received – she wrote on Sunday- and inclosed a message for Wilkins from Mama.

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Notes:

1. Francis Abbott, Secretary of General Post Office, Edinburgh, and his wife, Frances Jane, née Parker.

2. Sir Robert Keith Arbuthnot (1801 – 1873), 2 Baronet