Monday, 27 February 1860
Again horrible weather: pitch dark at times, then cold rain & high wind (for Rome ―) & general filth. ― “Non z’e rimedio”1 as G. says: who is more cheerful, & gets on with his writing & accounts.
Sat to work at Gibbs’s Cerbara, & worked hard, tho’ often leaving off from want of light. At 3 E. Wilson came & at 3½ we went to Gibson. The statues of Venus & Pandora are the most ludicrously shocking!
― Then to Dessoulany ― who was in: & very happy: & his Campagna paintings are the best after all. ―
Then P. Williams, who was kindly: pleasant as always. Then to Miss Ironside ― a Sydney artist: odd & interesting ― but I could see nothing original in her work. ―
Then to Coleman, who poor fellow was ill, but cheery: his Campagna, ― all but colour, ― is perfect, in representing actual rural life. ― Mrs. C. is very nice always ― & wonderfully beautiful still. ―
Edward Wilson is a highly interesting man, I shall be very sorry when he goes. ―
Came home before 6 ― after a walk on the Pincian: ― gray dark howling dismal. ― dined alone. ―
και ήρθε κανείς2 ― Throat & cold bad.
[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]