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23 February 1894 — Rome | |
Friday. 23rd [February 1894]. In the morning Henry went to call on the Duke of Sermoneta. I went to see Lady Bagot. We lunched at the British Embassy with Sir Clare Ford—met an Italian lady an artist whose name did not reach me—Sir Clare’s son Capt Ford & Mr Raikes a secy. After lunch we sat in the ball room which has been furnished & converted into a living room—& is a great improvement to the house. Sir Clare was very gay & intensely happy at having got the post of Ambr here. We went back to the hotel directly after lunch & Mme de Hurtado fetched me in her carriage with Idita & drove me to the Doria Pamphili villa out of the town– It was a fine day tho’ the wind was cold & the view over Rome was splendid. She then drove to St Peter’s & we went into the church. I was confirmed in my dislike of this church. The proportions tho’ vast as so bad are to give one little idea of the size & the decorations are very bad taste– There is nothing solemn or religious in the ensemble. We drove round the outside of the church up to the private doors that I might see the Popes guards in their gay dresses—but they appeared to me shabby & ill kept. Idita being a R.C. was devout & kissed S. Peters toe to her mother’s disgust! It was cold & latish when I returned to the hotel. Dined at table d’hôte– Met dear old Mrs Edgecumbe who is staying at this hotel– A pretty old lady of 83 & wonderfully bright & active. She has a son with her. | |
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