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2 September 1889 — Torre Pellice | |
Monday. 2nd September [1889]. We got up early & breakfasted at 8.30 & then walked up to the Inauguration of the new schools. The Prefect of Turin arrived to be present as the King’s representative & breakfasted at this hotel (l’Ours) & then he & the Vaudois deputies were placed on a platform outside the school. Henry went on the platform & I sat near on the benches provided for the select public. A speech was made by M. Henri Meille in Italian—eloquent & religious, enthusiastic & very loyal & then all went to inspect the building. While I was waiting to rejoin Henry a funny old English lady came up to me & asked me to excuse her but she wanted to know who I was. I was much taken aback but satisfied her curiosity. She said again “Excuse me, but so many people were anxious to know”—& departed. I found Mrs Beckwith the widow of Genl B was sitting near me—& an English man next me who took off his hat, had his name “Major Frobisher” in A. I was introduced to several pasteurs & also to an old German pasteur who had been tutor to the late Emperor Fredrick & spoke of him with great affection. We returned to the Ours abt 12. Read aloud to Henry—worked & read. Dined at 7 & then took a walk to see the illuminations wh were really very pretty. There were beacons on the hills all round & the illuminations of all the houses on the surrounding hills were very striking. The people walked about very quietly & good humoured & there was not an unpleasant word to be heard. The prefect of Turin drove down the street abt 9 very much applauded & then there were fireworks from a neighbouring hill while a local band played excruciatingly in the square under our windows. Henry played patience & then bed– | |
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