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29 July 1874 — Venice | |
Wednesday. 29th [July 1874]. We went to bathe a little earlier as we were going with Css Marcello to see the Italian fleet anchored at Malemusco. The Css fetched us a little before 11 & we went to the steamer the Admiral had sent for us & wh was waiting near the Arsenal on board of which came a great many ladies & gentlemen—also the Burmese Ambassador, his Secretary & interpreter– They were bronzed skinned gentlemen with their black hair twisted tight in a top knot on the top of their heads and a white handkerchief round their temples. They wore little white satin jackets & pieces of many colour silk twisted round their legs in a kind of petticoat fashion. The secy who was a very fat man & had an enormous stomach understood a little French—the interpreter was an intelligent young man and spoke English & French well. On our way to the Fleet the Adl made them translate all the names of the ladies present into Burmese—this is mine– We were recd (at least the ambassador was) by the Adl Cerruti en grand tenue—& after we had been taken over the vessel (the “Venezia”) there was a drill of the Marines and then dancing. After the dancing had been going a few minutes Css Marcello called us on one side & told us to follow her quietly. We embarked with her, her boy Gino, the Marquesa Visone & went on board the “Messina” the Commandante accompanying us. He showed us over the ship & refreshed us with wine & water & we rested from the noise & bustle of the Admiral’s ship. We returned to the Venezia where the dancing was still going on & abt 5 started again for Venice wh we reached at abt 6½. I was glad to get some tea having breakfasted at ten. Cortellazzo dined with us at 8. After dinner there was a serenade in honor of the Burmese & we followed in the Gondola as far as the Rialto & then came home. We found that Adl Cerruti was brother to our friend who had been Minister at Madrid & we made great friends. The Adl of the Port & his wife Marquese Correto were very kind & agreeable also. | |
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