the Dell Bonchurch
March 27. 1870
My Dear Mlle Amélina
I hope you will soon be able to leave Pisa, as I think the Spring and warm weather cannot now be far off. I think it a good plan which I hear you have formed, to go to Naples at once, the early spring at Naples is very pleasant – Our stay at Bonchurch draws towards its conclusion – We have latterly had a good deal of Sunshine, but the wind is generally cold from whatever quarter it blows All the time of our house of Commons is occupied with Irish affairs, to the09626
neglect of our own
At last Ministers are beginning to display a little common sense, and have asked for power to suppress treasonable newspapers. If they had done this ten years ago, they would now have had a tranquil Ireland. For months past, the Irish papers have daily advocated armed rebellion! – What do you think of the state of affairs in France, and of Prince Pierre Napoleons trial? I think Mons. Noir deservd his fate, he went with the intention of insulting the Prince in his own drawing room well knowing that he was a Corsican and very passionate.
The evidence of M. de Fonvielle the surviving witness is not to be believed. His furious conduct in Court, more like a maniac than a witness, deprives his testimony of all weight. He was very properly sent to jail. An English judge would have done so much sooner.
Is not everybody getting tired of the Council? And if any one should enquire how many decrees have been promulgated the answer would be none! Now I think that all former Councils have soon agreed to decree something or other.
Montalembert is a great loss. His last letter (almost his dying word) was one of the most remarkable things he ever wrote. In it he called the Pope, the great Idol of the Vatican. which made the pope very angry, and he refused to allow mass to be said for the repose of his soul! He afterwards relented it is true, but forbade any ceremony, or the presence of any members of the Council. Please tell Rosamond that I will ask Coutts and Co to send her a new Letter of Credit, but she will have to ask for it at the bank of Signor Peverada because I cannot ask Coutts to send such a letter to any but his own correspondent. I am glad you did not spend the winter at San Remo in Madame Grossi’s house – I think a good new hotel there would prove a good speculation – everybody would go to it.
Adieu Yours ever afftly
H. F. Talbot