fter day, so you
cannot expect a very amusing letter.... I have another commission I
wish you would do for me; it is to inquire what discoveries Captain
Ross has made at the South Pole. I saw a very interesting account in
"Galignani" of what they have done, but cannot trust to a newspaper
account so as to quote it.

* * * * *

A new edition of my "Physical Sciences" was required, so the "Physical
Geography" was laid aside for the present. On returning to Rome, we
resumed our usual life, and continued to receive our friends in the
evening without ceremony. There was generally a merry party round the
tea table in a corner of the room. I cannot omit mentioning one of the
most charming and intellectual of our friends, Don Michelangelo Gaetani,
Duke of Sermoneta, whose brilliant and witty conversation is unrivalled,
and for whom I have had a very sincere friendship for many years. I
found him lately as charming as ever, notwithstanding the cruel loss of
his sight. The last time I ever dined out was at his house at Rome, when
I was on my way to Naples in 1867.

* * * * *

John Gibson, the sculptor, the most guileless and amiable of men, was
now a dear friend. His style was the purest Grecian, and had some of
his works been found among the ruins, multitudes would have come to Rome
to admire them. He was now in the height of his fame; yet he was so kind
and encouraging to young people that he allowed my girls to go and draw
in his studio, and one of my daughters, with a friend, modelled there
for some time. His drawings for bas-reliefs were most beautiful. He drew
very slowly, but a line once drawn was never changed. He ignored
India-rubber or bread-crumbs, so perfect was his knowledge of anatomy,
and so decided the character and expression he meant to give.

We had charades one evening in a small theatre in our house, which went
off very well There was much beauty at Rome at that time; no one who was
there can have forgotten the beautiful and brilliant Sheridans. I
recollect Lady Dufferin at the Easter ceremonies at St. Peter's, in her
widow's cap, with a large black crape veil thrown over it, creating
quite a sensation. With her exquisite features, oval face, and somewhat
fantastical head-dress, anything more lovely could not be conceived; and
the Roman people crowded round her in undisguised admiration of "la
bella monaca Inglese." Her charm of manner and