TALBOT1202

Naples –
6^th Aug^st

My Dear Henry

Much obliged for your letter as I was quite at a loss where to write to you, I was very much delighted with Sicily & had a remarkable pleasant tour. The Girgenti ¹ temples are from their situation on the precipitous brow of hill, much finer objects than the Pæstum ² at least I liked them much better, we were all knocked up the evening we ought to have ascended Etna so we went next day, we missed nothing as it was a bad morning and Ashley ³ saw no more view than we did in the middle of the day, as I hope to see you all at Munich soon I shall keep my answers to your questions till I see you. Baillie ⁴ & I start from here next Wednesday on a tour something as you recommend the weather here is dreadfully hot, so we shall have disagreable travelling at first. We went in an open boat to Pæstum stayed a day then coasted down below Palinurus ⁵ till we stood off the Stromboli ⁶ which blazes without ceasing but no Lava it is a most curious island. I am afraid I shall not be able to do your commission concerning Pompeii ⁷ as the heat renders it utterly impossible. Do you remember an inscription you discovered in the street in Vienne ⁸ as we passed through, The Blesintons ⁹ lived there 2 months & were furious when I mentioned it, as they never saw it. I went with them to Capri & had a most perfect expedition I should think the very reverse of yours, they have the Villa Belvedere which is as you know quite perfect as to situation. I passed thro the Sepulcretum ¹⁰ you mentioned going to “Miniscola” to embark for Ischia & was much struck with it a[s]¹¹ there were people actually living in some of the old tombs. I hope to Bring Lily ¹² her Roman pearls. The Robberies are all true M de I. had all his things taken & a Austrian Count was wounded a few weeks after.

perhaps I may find a letter from you at Milan. Love to all –

Yours Affec
J. Fox Strangways –

A Monsieur
Monsieur H. Talbot
München
Bavaria