TALBOT1408

Ancona
24^th March 1826

My Dear Mother

Me voici arrivé. ¹ I came here about 11 o’clock this morning, without having met with the slightest accident on the journey unless sticking in the mud near Peronne can be called so –

You see I was very exact to my time, and could easily have been here sooner, had I travelled at night. but I stopped to sleep every night; and at Turin I stopped all Sunday & the forenoon of Monday – At Modena also I staid three hours with Professor Amici ² – Contini ³ came last night, a little before me; & has given me your letters, which were a great pleasure – He had a young English officer as his Compagnon de Voyage, ⁴ who brought me a letter from M^r Hay- ⁵ They travelled nine days & nights, & crossed M^t Cenis by moonlight.

I wonder you never talked more of Ancona, which is a most picturesque town, & you might sketch here without end – I have visited the Cathedral ⁶ & the Monk’s garden where there is a telegraph; ⁷ I looked out for the steamer but she is not in sight. I drank a great many cups of chocolate on the journey & found it excellent. The tea I have not opened till now; & I reserve the milk for the voyage. The soup is very good, & the Coffee excellent (very bad at the Inns) the arrowroot I have not tasted. – I used the lamp and Coffee Pot once or twice, & it answered well.

Your aff^te Son
H.T.