 | Lady Layard’s Journal Go to a Date Search the Journal |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |
13 October 1883 — Florence | |
Saturday. 13th [October 1883]. Henry & I went to the Pitti after breakfast & spent the morning there, returning to the Hotel to have lunch at 12.30. Abt 1 had a visit from Sir J. Hudson & at the same time Mr & Mrs Ross came in. Arranged with the latter to go down this afternoon to Castagnolo to pay them a visit till Monday. After they had left us Sir James stayed on a long time talking & then took Henry out with him to see a picture which Sir Wm Abdy had bought for £2000 & wh is now being restored. I remained in & wrote letters & packed my bag for our departure. Henry returned at 3 & packed his & then we walked across to the tramway & took our places for Castagnolo. The tram was very full & we took ¾ hour going there. It was very hot & stuffy in Florence but it was very cool & pleasant at Castagnolo. The tram runs (by steam) along the high road & one cannot imagine how it is there should be no accidents. All the women & children sitting in their doorways or standing about were plaiting straw wh they do so mechanically & never to look at it. Mr Ross came down to the “Fermata del Tramway” to meet us & a man with a barrow for our bags. Mrs Ross met us on the road. We sat in the garden & had tea & then walked about to see Mr Ross’ collection of orchids & Mrs Ross’ pheasants & rare birds. Then the owner of the Villa the Marchese della Stufa came from the vintage dressed in blue linen with high yellow boots—a large apron & a white pith hat. The Ross’ hire their apartment of him & Mrs Ross manages the whole house. The Marchese’s nephew Alexandrine della Stufa was also at dinner & is staying with his uncle. After dinner Signor Leopoldo Orsi & his brother Carlos came & they sang with Mrs Ross to the piano & the guitar. There was also staying at Castagnolo a Mr. Peter Wells an old gentleman well known at Florence who seems to live a good deal with the Ross. | |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |