Monday, 30 December 1861
Same lovely weather ― but cold in the shade.
At 9 ― went out ― principal shops shut by order of the L.H.C. owing to Prince Albert’s death.
Took 4 rooms at the Hotel S. Giorgio for Miss Goldsmid &c., from the 20th at 10/ a day if they stayed a month, 12/ a day if less than a fortnight.
Returned & made tracings of P. Pelissier & Cormayeur. Giorgio not returning ― I wondered what has occurred & go down to Post ― getting an Observer or the 22nd. ― (Meet Count G. Henckel ― going off to Alex.dria.) Returned, & penned out ― Ponte Pelissier.
At 2.30 George comes in & says Spiro is taken violently ill ― I fear bronchitis or diphtheria ― 3 doctors are with him. I greatly fear he will not recover this time.
After placing my tracings on canvass, I went out at 4.30. ― & walked by the new Parguenote road ― & so round by Kastrades.
At 6.30 ― found G. had returned. Poor Spiro is in the same state. Dined at 7 ― & afterwards G. went home, & I suppose will sleep there.
I penned out Philates drawings till 10.30.
XX9
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]