Pièce 43 - Letter from Robert Pemberton Milnes to Thomas Davison Bland

Venezia [Venice].- Travelled from Paris to Milan with only a stop at Lausanne, a feat attributable to Milnes's 'life of abstinence and regularity'; describes a party at Paris which sent him to bed for many daysl many English there. Augustus Craven and others in a play at Lausanne. Crossing the Simplon Pass took fifteen hours in snow; fine weather to the south. 'If ever there is a Reform in Lombardy I shall be member for Milan'; entertainments there'. His son left for Rome though was strongly tempted by Venice; fine apartments and cheap living here, though butter tastes of onions and tallow. Milnes' exchange with Madame Albrizzi. Opera half empty as the people are tired of Donizetti's Fausta. Contrast with English life, especially the serenity of gondola transport; Lady Smith not expected to live long; her circumstances.