Venice
Saturday Aug. 15th
My dear Papa,
I received you letter yesterday announcing your safe arrival home, and we were glad to hear you had had a prosperous journey, and that you found your letters on arrival. Since then you will have received one from Mama <1> herself, to tell you that we were recommended by the Doctor to remain here for another month; and we have reason to judge already that his advice was good, as Mama is certainly gaining strength, and the longer she keeps perfectly quiet in a place that suits her, the more firmly will her recovery be established. The weather is slightly variable, though generally too warm, with a scirocco, which makes it feel hotter than warranted by the degree of the thermometer, which has never risen above 83 for some time. The accounts from England are truly sad; will the country ever recover from such a burning? Lacock garden seems to have escaped wonderfully but your account – but I deny your qualifications for comparing it’s <sic> merits with the gardens of the continent – for, although they do not generally make the best of them, as you never go and see anything when you are in these parts, how can you be a competent judge! Since you went away we have been to see the very pretty little Island of Sta Elena, formerly belonging to the Duke of Bordeaux, <2> and where he sometimes spent a short time in the summer in a very unpretending house. The Island contains a picturesque old church and cloister, (now used for gouvernment <sic> stores) and is covered with trees & shrubs, and the freshest of green grass. The poor man, who shewed us about, complained bitterly of the havoc caused by that terrible storm – all his vine destroyed and beautiful pomegranate trees, laden with fruit the night before, entirely smashed by the hail – The adjoining Island of S. Lazzaro, where the Armenian convent <3> is situated, has more of a cultivated garden, it’s <sic> flowers are very gay and some large bushes of Oleander especially, both pink & white are magnificent. We have been twice to visit it – a most amiable monk showing us all about the establishment, which contains a most curious library, which would have interested you particularly – Their printing presses are in full activity and they have produced many valuable works; the latest, which we saw in progress, being a copious Armenian dictionary. But what would have been your delight to behold his Majesty Napoleon IIIds Life of Cæsar reproduced in Armenian! for which courtesy that distinguished Author has bestowed upon the community his portrait, full-length, which makes him look like a man of thirty. It was on our second visit to the island that we saw all this.
Today, having got a special order from Doctor Nanias, we were shewn, by the librarian of S. Marco, the beautiful illuminated missal, the Breviario Grimani, containing a quantity of paintings as fine as miniatures, and the borders of every pages composed of exquisite flowers & insects in endless variety – the colour as fresh as if they had been executed yesterday, instead of 4 centuries ago. There are a quantity more curious & beautiful manuscripts kept in glass cases in the same room. Did you see them?… Some fine specimens of Bysantine bindings, enriched with pearls and precious stones, and the first books printed in Venice &c. We had previously seen the photographed copy of the Breviario Grimani, with very interesting explanations and notes. The photographs are very well done, but after all give but an imperfect idea, from the absence of colour.
When you see Charles <4> please ask him if he received a letter I wrote him about a fortnight ago.
I have forgotten how to spell, from the heat of the weather, and make nothing but blunders, so I had better stop, especially as it is getting very late. The post now only goes out at six in the morning, a most convenient hour!
With love from all, I am, dear Papa,
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond
Notes:
1. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
2. de Bourbon, Henry de Bordeaux (1820–1883), grandson of Charles X of France.
3. I Padri Mechidaristi. [see also Doc. No: 09399].
4. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.