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19 February 1894 — Leucaspide, nr. Taranto | |
Monday. 19th February [1894]. Accompanied by Miss Granville Henry & I drove directly after breakfast to Taranto to see the town. It was fine but still very windy & cold. We drove first to see the Cathedral where there are curious columns & a chapel all decorated with colour marbles in the Jesuit style. Preparations were being made for a messa cantata & priests were about in all directions & there were swarms of beggars– We then went to see a curious column from an ancient temple which is built into a tiny court yard in the town—then we went to the Admiral’s house (Admiral Turi) as he had been kind eno to say we should see the new Arsenal from the Mare Piccoli if we let him know when we would like to have a steam launch ready. Henry went up to pay him a visit & he very politely came down to see me & promised to take us himself at 2 o’clock. We then went off to the Hotel d’Europe to luncheon. We had a very good lunch & punctual to our appointment went down to the place appointed but found no launch. Soon the admiral joined us—with the news that his launch could not be ready for another half hour– So we walked along the new canal which connects the Mare Piccolo with the sea to the shore & up the steps to the Admiral’s quarters & went to his appartment & had coffee. After which we walked back to the torpedo station—still there was no sign of a launch. After waiting some time. A large launch came by going on some errand. The Admiral stopped it—made the men get out & we got in & we steamed off to the Arsenal. There we found the Adl’s launch being prepared but not yet ready. So we begged him to let us remain in the boat we were in & when his launch caught us up we refused to get into it– It was very rough as the wind was high & the sea choppy—& we had seen all we wanted & only wished to go back to Leucaspide. The Arsenal has only yet been 4 years in building & great works are being carried out. It is a splendid port– The Mare Piccolo being like a great lake & will hold all the fleets in the world together– It is 12 miles deep & has only one entrance by the canal. We found our carriage waiting for us on our landing. We offered to take the Admiral back to his house—which he accepted—but on the way he said Sir James had invited him to go back with us—& altho he had refused he felt enclined to change his mind. We persuaded him to do so & he said if we would wait while he made some arrangements he would accompany us. This we did & all drove back to Leucaspide together. Admiral Turi stayed with night without any baggage whatever. He is a Neapolitan—very talkative & reckless in manner—but very pleasant. We told him of the ball of last night & as he expressed a desire to see the dances Sir James kindly had it repeated. We all danced the Maddalena with great spirit– Even Sir James & my husband made their appearance & I danced several times—as did the Admiral & Miss Granville. | |
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