 | Lady Layard’s Journal Go to a Date Search the Journal |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |
16 October 1883 — Florence | |
Tuesday. 16th October [1883]. Breakfast at 9 & then we went off to the Academy at S. Marco & spent the morning there– We had not seen the David Tribune wh has been built since we were here. We were much interested in the casts of different things of Michel Angelo’s & amongst them the sketched out cast of a Pieta wh Henry said was almost identical in composition with the picture in the National Gallery. We met Lord Hardings at the Academy & Henry drew his attention to it. We walked back stopping at Goodban’s to buy some books &c. Henry went over the way to the Consulate to ask about a registered letter that there was at the P.O. & which we could not get them to deliver to us altho’ we went ourselves to claim it. They said we must get someone to identify us. Henry got a man fm the consulate & it was at once delivered over– It was from me & contained money fm Mrs Bracken paying for her Turkish Embroideries. We came in & lunched & then saw a maid sent by Sir James Hudson but she did not do for me. We went out at 2. I went to Goodban to complete my purchases & Henry went & got a carriage & arranged for an opera box for tonight. We drove to Villa del Pinta to see Miss McCleod. When we got to the gates we found them locked & no bell– After shouting & holloing Miss McCleod came herself & opened the gates & welcomed us. She was a most extraordinary figure. Her head tied up under the chin in a fine white handkerchief. A loose jacket—a large apron—a crinoline which made her quite like a tub. Her hat on her arm & an arm full of books. She said she had been reading in the vineyard & had heard us. We walked up from the gate to the villa & went in & had a chat with her & learnt a lot of gossip & then we drove back to Florence. Left a few cards. Went to Hotel. At 6.30 dined at table d’hôte & sat next Lord Hardings. Mr & Mrs & Miss Alexander were also there. At 8 we walked to Niccolins Theatre where we had a box to hear Auber’s Fra Diavolo. We invited Lord Hardings & he joined us. Visits from Mr Colnaghi & Mr Spence fils. The opera was very well given—music lovely & well acted & got up. We walked home. | |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |