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23 April 1902 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Wednesday. 23rd [April 1902]. Today was the launch of the cruiser Ferruccio. We had arranged with Iduna to go with her, the Villiers & I, & our breakfast was ordered at 8. Elaine came to me just before 8 to say that as rain threatened she & her husband must cry off. At 8.30 I went to fetch Iduna & she declared that she cd not go at all unless the Villiers went—after much pourparler I went off alone—as I had tickets for tribune B—the division kept for the authorities—& the others in H were all society was to be. The weather was cloudy but remained fine– The arrangements were good– One got in & out without any difficulty. I found I had got there early & sat with the French Consul & his wife & Sigra Gonzales– The ceremony began at 10.30 when the Dss & D. of Genoa & the Cardinal Patriarch appeared on the scene. The latter began it by going round the ship in full cannonicals with mitre & crozier accompanied by priests & accolytes asperging the ship as he went. He always stopped & turned to bow to the Royalties as he passed before them. After this the Dss went to lower the rug which hung from the front of the ship fastened by a large blue ribbon which dipped into the sea & the naming of the ship was done– Venice is the only place in the world where this latter ceremony is substituted for the breaking of a bottle of wine—it is done to keep up the traditions of the old Venetians Republic. When the Royalties & the Patriarch had returned to the Royal stand the props which held the ship in his place were moved each to the sound of a bugle call & the last cords & wedges being removed the great ship began to move—& slid smoothly & majestically down to the water among the cheers of the multitude– This being successfully over we all dispersed & on my way home I stopped & wrote my name in the book kept for that purpose by the Dss of Genoa. She & the D. are staying at the Hotel Danieli—it not being worth while to arrange the Royal Palace for them for their 3 days’ stay. I got home about 12 o’cl. The weather had cleared up. After lunch had a visit from Count & Css Pourtalis & his sister Css Hohenthal. He is German Minister at the Hague. He tells us that the Q. of Holland tho’ she has a severe attack of typhoid is going on well. He also said that there never had been a word of truth in the report that the Queen & her husband were on bad terms & that a divorce was imminent– It is a shame that such lies should be allowed to be printed. Ct Pourtalis’ father had been a friend of Henry’s & his uncle had been with him in the East. I invited them to dinner on Friday & they accepted– I walked to the Harstons to enquire abt the child who has a relapse & is very ill. The Genoas sent me an invitation to lunch with them tomorrow at 11 A.M. | |
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