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30 August 1884 — Borgo Vico, Como | |
Saturday. 30th August [1884]. Up at 7 & had tea in our room. Wrote & painted till breakfast at 11– Painted again till 2.30 when went off on an expedition to La Pliniana the villa of the Trotti family. We went in the boat with 4 rowers. The young d’Addas, the Mar: & Mara Sforziate, Henry & I & Mar: de Pereto. It was very hot. We got there in an hour. As soon as we got round the point near the Pliniana the climate suddenly changed & it became almost cold. The sun does not penetrate for more than an hour or two in summer into that corner of the mountain & even at this time no longer shines at all on the house. It is therefore a charming residence for the months of July & August but after that is cold & unwholesome. The palace which belongs to the Marquis Trotti is fine & built in 16th century, it is built just over curious spring which wells up out of the mountain. It was described in a letter of Pliny’s & is very curious as 3 times a day it rises for a short time & then falls again—the cause being unknown. Behind the house there is a splendid waterfall in the rocks but today there was not very much water in it. While we were there the spring began to rise & we were able to see the phenomenon. We took a walk in the garden where there was still a little sunshine. There are lovely walks all up the hill behind the house & a chapel perched high up in a very picturesque site. The house contains a fine large hall opening on the garden on one side—on the other on a terrace over the spring by wh one has to pass to reach the other living rooms. The house is richly & comfortably furnished. At 5 we started home again taking leave of the Marquis & Marchesa Trotti who had received us most kindly & showed us the place. We got home soon after 6. Dined at 7. D. Carlo d’Adda had returned from Milan when we got in. After dinner the Resta family came in. I went to bed early as I had a headache. Morelli left today to return to Milan. | |
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