TALBOT6388

Rome
Monday 3^rd Feb^y

My dear Henry

I was very glad to get your letter of the 18^th the first I have had since leaving England! How very quick of mine, to reach Laycock in 8 days it is encouragement to write by the via di Mare particularly as the roads are not over-safe - The English mail was stopped Saturday, but I don't know whether by accident or robbers - M^me Potemkin who is a great friend of ours had a fourgon ¹ coming from Naples with her furs, laces & other valuables, under the auspices of a Russian courier bearing dispatches - however within 2 miles of Pata[?] S. Giovanni it was pillaged by robbers (supposed to be in league with the postboy & while the courier was fast asleep) & all the imperials &c cut off. She says £1500 would not cover the loss, & she has very little hopes of ever seeing them again tho' the police is by way of searching for the thieves. A still more extraordinary case happened at Forlimpopoli - where the people were assembled en masse at the theatre, & when the curtain drew up instead of the corps dramatique there appeared on the stage a band of brigands with a certain Papatore (a famous character in those parts) at their head, who informed the public that they were his prisoners - all the doors being locked & the gendarmes disarmed, & invited them to give up their watches, chains, earrings & other articles of value - during w^h operation he amused them with an account of his life & adventures, to pass the time! He then took the Mayor to his house & made him give up his money &c & after some other visits of the same kind they departed leaving the inhabitants to see the end of the play! This is a town of 4000 souls, & about 3 miles f^m Cesena & 5 f^m Forli, in both of w^h there is a strong German garrison - but it seems the Pontifical Gov^t quarrels with them about the management of the police so that the poor Italians, who pay for the foreign troops do not even get protection from robbers. I will do y^r commission for Talbotypes - Flacheron² has got some beauties, on a larger scale than before (I believe they cost 2 scudi) one of the Forum I bought the other day is excellent - but he has not many at present & means to make more when the season advan[ces.] ³ I don't think our house, tho' very comfortable w^d be a picturesque subject - if he could take the view f^m it, that might be worth having. The month of Jan^y was so fine nobody remembers one like it - & the tea roses, camelias & narcissus are flourishing in the gardens - Now it is dull & a scirocco blowing w^h I hope will not last as it is [dis]tressing ⁴ to mind & body. Jane ⁵ told me of the glimpse of you she had at Lanelay ⁶ - she hopes to make good use of y^r book when the advancing spring incites to botanize - M^r N. ⁷ has given up the idea of rushing to his post in H. of Commons, to the great relief of his family - He is much happier here, heading immense riding parties into the Campagna - I am grieved to hear of dear Aunt L. ⁸ being so dim - Have you been to see her lately? - Give my love to Constance ⁹ &c I am sorry you think Ashelworth^<10> only a moderate school, but perhaps you expect too much improvement at Charles ¹⁰ tender [age] ¹¹ & considering he has only been there 1 year. Addio - Pray ¹² do not be so long again without writing to

y^r aff Sister
Horatia

I am very well but do not attempt to join the riding parties or do much in the sightseeing line - Indeed I have done all that so well before that my conscience is quite at ease & rather feel compassion for the new English running about with [illegible] in their hands - I must now go & drive with Jane so once more adieu

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
via di Mare
Inghilterra