A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, vi 



should like at Pescia, but they will not decide till we arrive, 

 but he appears to insist that we should put ourselves under 

 their direction. This is not exactly the year to come out of 

 England for cheapness. He tells us at Pescia, and we heard 

 the same on the road, that all the articles of life in them are 

 double their usual price. A bad harvest and Murat's armies 

 were the causes assigned. Sismondi comes here immedi- 

 ately and remains about ten days with Madame de Stael, 

 then takes us back with him to Pescia. . . . 



