Florence Tuesday June 16th
My dear Henry
I had your letter of the 13th from Bellagio, yesterday – and we are pleased that you were getting on prosperously up to that date. Here also the weather was much cooler for several days – but yesterday was oppressive after some thundery rain the previous night, and it is rather too hot again today.
I ventured on a short visit to the Palazzo Pitti this morning – thence to the Post office, having ascertained that Coutt’s letter had arrived by this day’s post. it left London on the 12th. On presenting the Passport, & signing my name in a book, the letter was delivered into my hands –
It is our present intention to leave Florence on Friday – stop over a day at Bologna and reach Venice on Monday – you will therefore know when to write to us – at Venice ‘Hotel de l’Europe’ and if you choose to write to Bologna the address will be ‘Hôtel San Marco.’–
We expect you will commend our self denying moderation in leaving Florence at the expiration of the proposed fortnight: and you may reckon on our keeping to Friday, unless you hear anything to the contrary – for if untoward circumstances obliged us to make any change, we would certainly write to tell you so. – In the mean time, we expect to hear something more of your doings on the Lake of Como. – Especially you are to enquire about the Steamers between Bellagio & Lecco, and by giving us the particulars, enable us to decided on the best route for our journey from Venice –
Today we had a scrap from Caroline, which crossed a letter of Monie’s to Ernestine. Had C. waited one day, she would have had all the information she asks respecting our movements. Of herself & Ernestine she speaks favorably in 2 words – they are well & enjoy the douches –
Your affectionate
Constance.
[envelope:]
Monsieur Talbot
Hôtel de la Grande Bretagne
Bellagio
Lago di Como