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Florence. - Is writing before they leave for Rome early tomorrow morning; they have very much enjoyed themselves as there are 'such endless lovely things to see', though the weather has been bad. Glad to hear Elizabeth and Robert have made pleasant arrangements for their winter stay abroad; Elizabeth will be glad not to go as far as Ravello, and 'it cannot be colder!'; hopes she will take warmer clothes with her as there may be a harsh winter. Thinks Florence milder than usual for November. Glad Elizabeth likes the bag; she herself finds one 'a great comfort'. Hopes Elizabeth's 'girl' [a new maid] is doing well, and that Mrs Enticknap likes the idea of training her when Elizabeth and Robert are away. She and Sir George are 'much interested in the political crisis', but she does not think anything will happen for a while. George 'writes in high spirits'; she is glad Elizabeth will see him and Janet; believes Charlie is on a speaking tour. Hopes Elizabeth will see Booa [Mary Prestwich] when she comes up. They can stay at 8 Gro[svenor ] Cr[escent] before they start; there will be 'someone in the kitchen & a man there'. They are excited at going to Rome; they love the art at Florence, but there are 'more and different interests in Rome'. They have not met anyone they know except [Henry] White, the American ambassador, and his wife, who have returned to Rome; will dine with them on Thanksgiving Day next Thursday 'and eat Turkey & Cranberry sauce!'. Has seen in the newspapers that [Joseph] Joachim is 'playing as well as ever'; hopes Elizabeth thinks so. Liked the music when they went to High Mass on Sunday: strings, choir, and occasional organ, 'rather sentimental' but better than in Rome, where she always thinks 'the voices & the organ carry on a sort of contest' as to which can be loudest.

"In the train". - They have left Rome, and hope to reach Bologna this evening; will remain there until Saturday. Sir George is well, though not completely recovered; he is anxious to get back to work. They have made a number of excursions and got to like the countryside around Rome. [Onorato] Carlandi has done many drawings of the Tiber from source to sea, which they found very interesting. Glad that Robert can work, and that Elizabeth has 'such a pleasant friend'; read a 'pretty story' by Mrs [Lina] Waterfield in the "Westminster [Review]". In Southern Italy 'the people are absolutely Pagan', a curious combination with the 'files of young priests & the infinite number of churches'. Rome is 'becoming much more of a capital', and much cleaner and more prosperous, but Tuscany is still much more civilised outside the cities. Charlie has been very 'good & generous about being left out', and they hope it will only be temporary, but it is still hard; lucky he is so happily married and Mary is so cheerful. They will be taking their new house before long. Dined with the Whites on Christmas day; they are 'the most hospitable of people, & great fun'. The Whites are 'much more amusing' than the British ambassador [Sir Edwin Egerton], who is 'very kind but dull'; his wife [Olga] is Russian, 'pleasant & talkative, but rather hard to understand'.

Continues the letter at Bologna; the weather is wet, but there is much to see; they will stay here tomorrow then travel to Lugano on Saturday; Sir George has ingeniously arranged different stopping points for the return journey. Hopes all is well at the Shiffolds; it must be a comfort to Elizabeth to have Mrs E[nticknap] is there. Expects to find 'election excitement in full swing' when they return. Notes in a postscript that Sir George's uncle William Trevelyan, 'Cousin Willie's' father, has died at the age of 93; he was a 'nice old thing' and married Sir George and Caroline, 'ages ago!'.