Italian letters of a diplomat's wife, January-May 1880, February-April, 1904 . oks enormous. We walked about the gardens with the queer, old-fash-ioned flower-beds and the little lake with a mosaic patternat the bottom, and talked to quantities of people. Thedrive down was enchanting; the sun setting, clouds ofevery colour imaginable and a sort of soft brume thatmade every dirty little street (and there are many inRome) look picturesque. We went to the ball at the British Embassy in theevening, taking Charles de Bunsen, who protested at firsthe didnt go to balls any more, etc., but he found pl
Italian letters of a diplomat's wife, January-May 1880, February-April, 1904 . oks enormous. We walked about the gardens with the queer, old-fash-ioned flower-beds and the little lake with a mosaic patternat the bottom, and talked to quantities of people. Thedrive down was enchanting; the sun setting, clouds ofevery colour imaginable and a sort of soft brume thatmade every dirty little street (and there are many inRome) look picturesque. We went to the ball at the British Embassy in theevening, taking Charles de Bunsen, who protested at firsthe didnt go to balls any more, etc., but he found plentyof old friends and was very glad he had gone. Thehouse looked very handsome—the ball-room with itsdecoration of flowers, cupids, etc., had a decidedly festiveappearance. I danced two quadrilles—one with CountdAulnay and the other with the Duke of Leuchtenbergwho was here with his wife, Comtesse de it is a morganatic marriage (he is a Royal Prince)she cant take his name and title. She was beautifullydressed, had splendid jewels—pearls as big as i88o] OF A DIPLOMATS WIFE 117 The ball was very gay, lots of people. We stayed quitelate; went to supper, which W. generally refuses withscorn, and only left at They were preparing forthe cotillon, but were going to dance a tempete (what-ever that may be) first. I hear they danced until 4oclock. Thursday, had a nice dinner at the Villa Medici Tuesdaynight. The Director M. Cabat, his wife and daughter,M. and Madame Geoffroy and 5 or 6 of the young all love Rome and say it is a paradise for an beautiful models of all kinds in the old pictures andstatues. I ventured to say that I thought one or two ofthe modern Roman things—fountains and statues—werepretty, but I was instantly sat upon by the whole party— no originality; no strength, weak imitations of greatconceptions, etc. I suppose ones taste and judgmentdo get formed looking at splendid models all the time;still the
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