Matthew Arnold
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 114
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... To his Wife. Rome, May 27, 1865. We got to Rome about twelve. It was pitch dark, and only omnibuses; I got here about a quarter to one and was comfortably lodged immediately. I found that letters would not go to-night so I did not write. I must say, I am at present more oppressed by Rome and by the sense of my want of time, than enchanted. I found Odo Russell gone to the country, but he was to return to-day, and has just left his card while I was out. I want to see the great Jesuit school now I am here. Yesterday I went to St. Peter's and saw the Pope, and all the Cardinals; tell Tommy the horses, carriages, and costumes are beautiful, it was the fete of St. Philip Neri, the patron saint of Rome, so everything was closed except the churches. I stayed a long time in St. Peter's, came back here to the four o'clock table d'hote, and went afterwards with a French doctor from Havre, a very pleasant man, to the Pincian, with which I was disappointed, one has such a very imperfect view of Rome. It is a glorious place, but it overwhelms me. This morning I was up early, and have done a great deal since; I have kept myself to ancient Rome, the Capitol, Capitoline Museum (where the "Dying Gladiator" is), the Forum, the Palace of Nero and Baths of Titus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Temple of Vesta, the Theatre of Marcellus, the Coliseum. To-night I go to the Janiculan for a view of Rome and the country round. To-morrow I go to the Basilicas. The sun is tremendous, but the air is fresh. I think of you all continually. Write in a day or two after getting this to the Hotel Feder, Genoa. To the Same. Naples {May 1865). When I wrote to you the other day I was feeling very unwell and knocked up, but I am much better now and have got through my work here....