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13 February 1881 — Rome | |
Sunday. 13th February [1881]. Henry took me to the American church & we came away before the sermon. Came home—lunched & then we went to the Minghetti’s where there were a great many people & some charming music. Mme Hegermann sang. Made acquaintance with Mme Ristori– Mme Helbig played—a young Russian abt 28 years old but enormously stout– She has cut her hair short & wears a plain black loose gown & as she sat at the piano one cd not make out whether she was a man, woman or priest! She played beautifully with a wonderful lightness of touch. From here we went on to the Villa Campana where we found a good many people at tea. Went home by 5. Dined at the Castellani’s & met Barnabei, Mr Mark Patterson & Mr & Mrs Nino Castellani of Venice. Mrs Patterson was most tiresome & pedantic. Once she began during dinner a declamation on the ignorance of would be clever people & their want of depth of knowledge. Gradually every one began talking to his neighbour & she found herself talking to the empty air. She talked of her great occupation writing for this & that journal or review & all with an affectation & simper wh was doubly provoking. Soon after dinner we went to Marchesa Alfieri where we did not find many people. Went on to Mrs Story’s where there was music going on– Mrs Batten & her husband sang & Mme Peruzzi & Hamilton Aidé. Lady Paget & “Ouida” were there sitting together. I was curious to see the latter. She is short fat & vulgar looking with a kind of Chinese face & flattened nose. She wore a lot of diamonds & long plaits of hair hung behind. Later in the eveng Stufa came in & it was a matter of great curiosity to see how they wd meet. I had a headache & was glad to get away to bed so I cd not watch for the expected scene. | |
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