. The Storys have given a
ball, Italians chiefly. We think of little but politics.

* * * * *

_To Mrs. Martin_

28 Via del Tritone, Rome: December 29 [1859].

It was pleasant to have news of you, dearest friends, and to know of
your being comfortably established at Pau this cold winter, as it seems
to be in the north. We came here, flying from the Florence tramontana,
at the very close of November, on the Perugia road, after having been
weather-bound at Casa Guidi till we almost gave up our Roman plan. Most
happily the cold spared us during our six days' journey, which was very
pleasant. I like travelling by vetturino. The fatigue is small, and if
you take a supply of books with you the time does not hang fire. We had
some old Balzacs, which came new (he is one of our gods--heathen, you
will say) and we had, besides, Charles Reade's 'Love me Little, Love me
Long,' which is full of ability. Then Peni had his pony as a source of
interest. The pony was fastened to the vettura horses, and came into
Rome, not merely fresh, but fat. And we have fallen into pleasant places
by way of lodgings here, our friends having prepared a list to choose
from, so that I had only to drop out of the hotel into bright sunny
rooms, which do not cost too much on account of the comparative
desertion of this holy city this year. We arrived on December 3, and
here it is nearly January 1--almost a month. The older one grows the
faster time passes. Do you observe that? You catch the wind of the
wheels in your face, it seems, as you get nearer the end. I observe it
strongly.

Let me say of myself first that I am particularly well, and feel much
more sure and steady than since my illness. How are you both? I do hope
and trust you can give me good news of yourselves. Do you read aloud to
one another or each alone? Robert and I do the last always. May God
bless you both in health of body and soul, and every source of happiness
for the coming and other years! I wish and pray it out of my heart....

And you are studying music? I honour you for it. Do tell me, dearest
Mrs. Martin, did you know nothing of music before, and have you taken up
the piano? I hold a peculiar heresy as to the use hereafter of what we
learn here. When there is no longer any growth in me, I desire to
die--for one. And at present I by no means desire to die.

So you and others upbraid me with having put myself out of my 'natural
place.' What