Varenna
Octr 6th
My dear Henry
I was so pleased on going to the Post at Zurich & looking over a heap of letters, to find one fm Constance <1> – it was the first line we have had from England, having been disappointed at Wiesbaden & Bâle & my letter to the P. Master at Manheim having failed of its effect. I am so sorry you troubled about me – really I do not feel any apprehensions about political disturbances – nor does Ld Mt E. <2> but still he says he will make every enquiry before leaving Italy – & will not therefore hurry to catch the steamer that leaves Naples the 19th but wait till the 29th I am glad of this as it is always disagreeable to be hunted – & I have no particular wish to be at Palermo sooner than necessary. I fear however that even with this delay, Caroline <3> will not be able to catch us – particularly if she comes the same roundabout way we have done – but we know nothing of her intentions not having had one letter. If she could manage to meet us at Genoa how much nicer it wd be for her than going alone across the sea<.> We have had a beautiful journey from Bâle here – I was delighted with the Lake of Zurich – you did not say half eno’ about it – & that of Wallenstadt. – We slept at Ragatz – I longed to go & see the Baths of Pfeffers fm your description <4> but had not time – all the way to Tusis is beautiful & the Via Mala! – We had an unlucky day for crossing the Splugen just at the top came on a thick white fog which hid everything – & was most tantalizing it was a strange feel going quick down all those zigzags into an abîme sans fond <5> as it appeared. This morning however it cleared up & we felt really in Italy. We came along the road here close to the edge of the Lake which was made since my time – how beautiful it is. Tomorrow Ld Mt E. is going to stay here while we make an expedition in a boat – I mean to shew Annie <6> the dear Villa Serbelloni<7> & one or 2 others – next day we shall go to Lecco & Saturday to Milan where we hope to find letters Please write to Leghorn – I am so glad C <8> is going to try Bath for Ela <9> give her my love & thanks for her letter.
Yr aff sister
Horatia
We found a gentian on the Splugen that put me in mind of you.
It is so warm & pleasant here – the other side we were perfectly perished. I feel better already!
Notes:
1. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
2. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
3. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
4. See Doc. No: 00936.
5. Bottomless abyss.
6. Caroline's husband's niece through his sister, Lady Caroline Sophia Edgcumbe (d. 10 April 1824), who was the first wife of Reginald George Macdonald (d. 1873): in 1848, Annie Sarah (sometimes Sarah Anne) married Alfredo Salvatori Ruggioro Andrea, Baron Porceilli di Sant Andrea, a Sicilian nobleman and revolutionary commander.
7. In 1823, Lady Elisabeth and Charles Feilding enjoyed a three month stay at the Villa Serbelloni where they were joined by WHFT. The Villa Serbelloni is in Varese, in Lombardy, Italy, north of Milan and near Lake Como, and is known today as Palazzo Estense. Built as a baroque palace by Francesco III d’Este, Duke of Modena and Governor of the Duchy of Milan (1698-1780), it went by descent from his third wife by morganatic marriage, Renata Teresa d’Harrach, Princess Melzi, to Rosina Zinzendorf, Countess Serbelloni. The Countess allowed wealthy paying guests to stay there. Although this was their only stay in the Villa, the house remained strong in their family memory. WHFT showed it to his new wife in October 1833, just as he was conceiving of the idea of photography.
8. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
9. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.