Sunday, 14 July 1861
Rose 4.30. Off by 5. Dim cloud on all hills ― so nothing seen but vines & abeles. Bridge of 13 arches over the Magra, so that Stanfields picture ― not a whit of the hills on either side of the river being visible, ― is invisible too. Picturesque town, about 6: & before 7 came to la Spezzia, & got a good room in the Villa d’Odessa. ― 7 to 9 ― putting out clothes &c. ― & cleaning. 9 breakfast. Wrote to Lady Waldegrave. ― Paid Andrea the Vetturino, a good fellow. ― Walked with G. to the Lever’s: all there, & made me stop & dine. Miss L. is a really warm-hearted nice girl: & even at my age I should not think myself safe if I saw much of her.
Played & sang. The little dog Leila. A little Russian girl ― Narishkin. Scandal of Florence, Jervis’s ― Miss Albano &c. &c. Dinner at 3.30. (Lever in his boat, & swimming.) ― Talk with Julia L. ― Little old man singing to a Guitar ― Il Barbiere. Walk with Mr. & Miss L.: what a heavenly place is this gulf! ― Back to tea, & sang again. Kindly people. Left at 9.30. Met the Suliot near S. Vito: ― at V. D’Odessa at 10.
The steamers only go it seems, Mondays & Fridays to Genoa: ― & carriage progress seems expensive & difficult.
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]