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18 January 1881 — Rome | |
Tuesday. 18th January [1881]. I did not go out in the morng. Lunched at 1. & then we drove out. Left cards on Cairolis, Maffei, the Embassy. Hy went to Castellani in the morng. We went to Cav. Gentile’s to see our tapestry wh was washed & hung up in the Royal Stables where Gentile has a studio. It is such a vast place we had some difficulty in finding him. He offers to put it in very good order but wants 5000 fcs for it wh rather staggers us. We went & bought some flowers for my ball dress tonight. Dined at 7 after table d’hôte. At 10.30 we went off to the ball at the Embassy. The ballroom is certainly fine—over decorated & spotty—the band very loud & with a drum. There is a horrible portrait of the Queen painted by Lady Paget. The Pagets received us coldly. The secy Mr de Saumarez was more civil & took me to a place in the ball room near Lady Bagot & Mrs Bruce & introduced Marie the singer to me. I made acquaintance with Lady Eyre, Lady Bowen & Lady Lopes—& the 2 Css Conestabile. What seemed curious was that the Italian ladies all sat apart from the English & even in another room. None of the Paget family seemed to take any trouble to entertain. Sir Aug: asked Henry to take Lady Bagot into supper but we left before the supper wh was not till 1.30. Signor Sella was introduced to me by Mme Cairoli. He looked more English than Italian being a thick built short man with a black & grizzly beard. I had not much talk with him. We got back to the hotel soon after 1. | |
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