Grenoble
Hotel de l’Europe
Saturday 12th Decr
1874
I could not finish my letter <1> at Avignon as I intended, but meant to do so at Valence, where I slept yesterday – However that good intention failed likewise, so I must really finish it this Evening.
The country between Marseille & Avignon is very dreary at this time of year – being a dead level with no verdure to enliven it – & much the same on to Valence – We then took the line that turns off from the great Lyons railway, & one soon got into the heart of the mountains. I wanted to see Grenoble again, not having been here since the merry time when we were all here together – Do you remember the poem you wrote upon it? beginning
“Grenoble I sing,
Right fit for a king &c
The weather was dreadfully cold at Marseille & Avignon, & on the way there a very heavy gale came on, which roared so loud that it could be heard above the noise of the train – & made me feel almost afraid we should be blown over.
We had an easy day’s journey to day – about 3hr & ½ – but it snowed on leaving Valence, & though it soon ceased, we found as we came on, that it had snowed hereabouts much more – The ground was covered with thick snow, & evidently a great quantity had fallen on the mountains. That gorge one enters, before arriving at Grenoble, is one of the finest I ever saw – & the clouds charged with snow, half shewing the splendid crags above, gave great grandeur & mystery to the scene. It has been raining this evening – & is certainly less cold. I do wish we could have a fine day for our short journey to Aix tomorrow.
I must go there for a day having left some boxes which we did not want to take into Italy – & thence I propose going to Geneva, & so by Paris, home.
I must now say goodnight I am afraid I cannot tell you where to write to me – as there would scarcely be time for a letter to reach me. I do regret the South, altho’ we had not very fine weather – but cold is the most disagreable of all things. Love to all –
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 03945.