Society at Florence, and which was
coined on purpose, with my name on the reverse. I received it the other
day, accompanied by the following letter from General Menabrea,
President of the Council, himself a distinguished mathematician and
philosopher:--

FROM GENERAL MENABREA TO MRS. SOMERVILLE.

FLORENCE, _30 Juin, 1869_.

MADAME,

J'ai pris connaissance avec le plus grand interet de la belle
edition de votre dernier ouvrage sur la Geographie Physique, et je
desire vous donner un temoignage d'haute estime pour vos travaux. Je
vous prie donc, Madame, d'accepter une medaille d'or a l'effigie du
Roi Victor Emmanuel, mon auguste souverain. C'est un souvenir de mon
pays dans lequel vous comptez, comme chez toutes les nations ou la
science est honore, de nombreux amis et admirateurs. Veuillez
croire, Madame, que je ne cesserai d'etre l'un et l'autre en meme
temps que je suis,

Votre tres devoue Serviteur,
MENABREA.

* * * * *

At a general assembly of the Italian Geographical Society, at Florence,
on the 14th March, 1870, I was elected by acclamation an Honorary
Associate of that distinguished society. I am indebted to the President,
the Commendatore Negri, for having proposed my name, and for a very
kind letter, informing me of the honour conferred upon me.

* * * * *

I have still (in 1869) the habit of studying in bed from eight in the
morning till twelve or one o'clock; but, I am left solitary; for I have
lost my little bird who was my constant companion for eight years. It
had both memory and intelligence, and such confidence in me as to sleep
upon my arm while I was writing. My daughter, to whom it was much
attached, coming into my room early, was alarmed at its not flying to
meet her, as it generally did, and at last, after a long search, the
poor little creature was found drowned in the jug.

On the 4th October, while at dinner, we had a shock of earthquake. The
vibrations were nearly north and south; it lasted but a few seconds, and
was very slight; but in Calabria, &c., many villages and towns were
overthrown, and very many people perished. The shocks were repeated
again and again; only one was felt at Naples; but as it occurred in the
night, we were unconscious of it. At Naples, it was believed there would
be an eruption of V