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11 February 1881 — Rome | |
Friday. 11th [February 1881]. I went off to the Villa Campana to work. Came back to lunch. At ¼ 2 the Mantillas called & took us to the Farnesina to see the Duke de Ripalda. He very politely showed us over the house which is a curious conglomeration of fine things & bad taste. The frescoes in one room by Sodoma are very charming. We went to the ground floor to see the frescoes in the large hall. The Duc (a Spanish parvenu) has put his arms all over the place but on the whole he has done up the house decently. The furniture is detestable & vulgar to a degree. He himself has most insolent bragging manners. It is a mystery how he got hold of the Palace. It is said that the Queen of Naples gave it him for saving her jewels for her when she fled from Naples & he was her lover. When he had shown us the magnificent appartments the Duke took us into his private rooms—small dirty & stuffy—decorated in the worst taste—green curtains & blue walls! He had tea & buttered toast brought & we refreshed & then left. We went to leave a few cards & then went home. Dined at home & went to the Dss of Sermoneta’s in the eveng a few people were there—Css Jewouska, Mr & Mrs Dana—Mr Barnabei. There was a “circolo” at the Court this eveng & all the foreigners were presented to the Queen. | |
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