Venice
Saturday July 26th
My dear Papa,
Your letter, written from Verona yesterday morning, arrived in the evening, and as you say nothing about the heat, we hope that you did not suffer much from it during your journey so far. Here it was fearfully hot yesterday – Therm. 86 2 degrees higher than it had ever marked before. It was quite impossible to stir out, but towards evening there were signs of a storm: heavy clouds, vivid lightening and at length a fresh breeze sprung up during the night. But there was no rain, and today it is bright as ever, only the thermometer has fallen to 83. We talked to the doctor <1> on Thursday after about going away from here, and he thinks Mama <2> may venture on a move towards the end of next week. We discussed Recoaro, which would seem a desirable enough place were it not for the four hour’s drive, and also the difficulty of procuring comfortable accomodation [sic]. But Bayer <3> is collecting information about it. He (the doctor) also mentioned Conegliano, 2 hours from here on the Trieste railway, as a pleasant, quiet place among hills: but it cannot itself stand high, as the hotel is very near the station. However nothing is settled yet. I am so glad Bayer was with you at the station here to fight out the battle with the custom house officers; but who would imagine the gouvernment to be so stupid as to put difficulties in the way of the export of their own manufactures! Really you should write a letter to the Times, hoping it would get copied into the Italian papers, showing the absurdity of the practice and how contrary it is to their own interests and the plainest common sense. I hope you will have no further trouble with the box, as all other countries seem to be much more courteous on the subject. We have had no letters since you left. There was quite a fête here on Thursday evening. The authorities entertained the British officers at dinner at the Hotel Danielli, and afterwards there was a promenade on the water – a brillantly [sic] illuminated boat containing the music, followed by hundreds of Gondolas, all displaying more or less light, floated slowly past the windows at 10 o’clock; the whole scene rendered more striking at intervals by Bengal fires, <4> red and green, which brought out with marvellous distinctness the moving groups and surrounding buildings against the dark sky. We were quite sorry you were not there so see the spectacle. The squadron was to leave this morning for Trieste, after giving a parting entertainment to the beauty & fashions of Venice, yesterday, on board the Caledonia – A luncheon and dancing party from 3 to 6 o’clock; very refreshing this weather!
We are very curious to hear all you have to say about St Moritz; but I am afraid it would not be a fit place for us to attempt.
Goodbye, dear Papa, every body sends their love –
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.
Notes:
1. Dr Giacinto Namias, the head of the Women's Section of the Venice Hospital, was known for his advocacy of the health benefits of bathing. Assisted by his multi-lingual assistant, Dr Levi, he was recommended in traveller's handbooks as the best person for foreigners to consult.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
3. M J Bayer, courier.
4. A type of firework produced from black sulphide of antimony.