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17 September 1881 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Saturday. 17th September [1881]. The King & Queen of Italy went over the various Geographical Exhibitions—so we breakfasted at 8.30 & Lord A & Mr Bruce & Lena & Henry went off to be there & took Css Olga Mocenigo also with them they did not return till past 12. I & Mrs Burr sat at home and wrote the invitations for the party I am giving next Wednesday & when we had nearly got them all written we discovered that we had put “Tuesday 21st” instead of Wednesday 21st & so we had to write them all over again. We luckily got it done before luncheon. We lunched at 1 & went off directly after to the Flower & Fruit show at St Giobbe where we found all the world assembled awaiting their Majesties. There were some good fruits exhibited & some gigantic pumpkins—but the flowers were nothing very particular. A small pavilion was erected on high into which the Royal party mounted and a speech was read to them by Ct Sormani Moretti after which they went round to see the show. The K & Q walked arm in arm followed by the D. of Aosta arm in arm with Marquesa Villa Marina & the ladies followed by the ladies & gentlemen composing the jury– The Queen shook hands with me in passing. When the R. party had gone we went into the church to see the beautiful things there. A holy Family by Savoldo very fine & the light was just right. A Paris Bordone in the body of the church—the tomb of Christopher Moro the original of Shakespear’s Othello– It appears that he when Doge had offended some man who published at Padua a squib on him & Shakespear must in some way have got hold of this publication & written Othello. There are beautiful stone carvings round the arches of the chancel & side chapels. Lord Aberdare went to dine at the Palace at 6.30. We dined as usual at 7 & we afterwards went to the Theatre Gala– Henry, I, the 2 Bruce girls & the son. Mrs Burr stayed at home with the Squire. The theatre was a more brilliant scene. It was lighted à giorno and most people were in low dresses & it was crammed all but about 4 boxes which we were told were not let on account of the high prices asked for them. After the 1st act the Royalties were waited for– Lord Aberdare joined us sometime before they came. As soon as they arrived the orchestra played the Royal March & every one rose & there was a long cheering. The King sat in the centre with the Dss of Genoa on his right & the Queen on the left. The Opera was “Aida” & terribly noisy the band being large for the size of the theatre. The K & Q left after the 3rd act & we also went home to bed. We could not find Lord Aberdare’s gondola so we all managed to get into one & came altogether. | |
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