Sunday, 27 May 1860
Perfectly clear & lovely. Rose at 5 ― & at 6, taking coffee on the way, ― up to the Monti or Cappuccini. It is impossible to imagine the splendour of the Alps ― all their silver close behind the compact magnificence of Turin! I cannot remember any grander or more beautiful city scene. ― There was a pleasant man there who explained the landscape, & who had been in Greece. Cappuccini procession. ― Down to the Dora, & at 7½, breakfast with RC & at 8, in a car up to the Monti again & back by 9. ― Then, in a carriage, we set off to the rail, & took tickets for Susa, starting at 10, arrived at 11.45. ― Very lovely morning & bright, cultivation, mulberry &c. Very picturesque near Susa, but high wind rose, & became frightful. At the Hotel d’Avenue, we got some lunch. Tried to walk, but could not. RC seemed to wish to go on to-day, but it is not really possible. So we agree to go by Post tomorrow, & arrange accordingly. Then we walk about till 4 ― more or less…
It is now 4.30. George may be starting for Naples, having been at C. Vecchia all day. ― This place is gloomy [bare], & the wind distressing.
Slept from 4.30 to 7, then rose & dined ― not very badly I thought. ― The wind is still dreadful, bed at 9.
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]
“…the Alps ― all their silver close behind the compact magnificence of Turin!”
Lear the travel writer at his best.