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10 November 1900 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Saturday. 10th [November 1900]. While I was breakfasting at 7 A.M. my maid entered triumphantly with the lost birds– It appears that they being starved out & hearing the call of their brother in the cage in the window in an upper room flew is one by one & were thus caught. It was a foggy night & the fog was thick this morning so that they must also have been very cold. This morning’s account of Maria is a little worse her strength seems to be decreasing. She talks of “Susan” who is evidently her first nurse, our mothers maid who accompanied her when she married our father & whom I remember as Nounie tho’ she had married Bishop one of my parents’ men servants & left us before I can remember. It was she who helped to nurse my brother Augustus in his last illness– He was the first of us ten to go– He was my particular adoration. He died when he was barely 22—a fine big fellow of 6 ft. 2. His death was a terrible grief to us all. He was wonderfully bright & clever—full of spirits—not really good looking but very taking. At Cambridge he was immensely liked but I fear he was reckless & undisciplined—to me he was an idol & his death was a terrible shock—ah me that was 40 years nearly ago– After lunch I went on foot to the English church & there met Mr Christie & we discussed arrangements pulpits lectures &c—he accompanied me to the Piazza where I found my gondola & it brought me home. Had a visit from Mr Montalba who brought me a lovely bouquet of chrysanthemums. Miss Barbara Layard arrived to stay with me by 6.45 train– Played patience in even. B. Layard is Henry’s 1st cousin– His uncle Charles Layard settled in Ceylon married very young & had 25 children– Barbara is the youngest. She lives in Ceylon at Newraya & has come to Europe on a tour & is now on her way back. | |
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