Rose ― feeling a little better: & drew till 8½. Breakfast, & the usual hearing G. read. Then I walked on the Pincian ― wishing to try if any new system of movement would do me good, in shaking off or changing this cold. ― Rbt. Hay was there ― & I walked a turn or two with him. His opinion of Lord Aberdeen is pretty much as mine. ― Returning I drew very hard at 2 drawings ― Jerusalem & Dead Sea ― of Mrs. Empson’s, ― & at one ― Rachel’s tomb ― for Duchess Sermoneta, till 4. Then called on J. Uwins, who nevertheless would not come out with me. So I went ― (bisogna dire,1  against the grain all this, for I ought not to speak in the air, & moreover am better if walking fast when alone,) to Williams’, who came out with me, & we went a bit down the P. Pia road, returning by A. Maria. ― P.W. is certainly much softened since older days. Then I dined at home ― on what seems to me luxurious fare ― fish, lamb, pears ― &c. ― all cooked well. Verily Georgis is a jewel. ― Then I wrote to Mr. Crake, & Mrs. Empson ― καὶ τῶρα εῖς τὸ κρεββάτι.2

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]

  1. “One must say,” Italian. [↩]
  2. “And now to bed” (D. Harvey). [↩]