CHAPTER XIV. 



ROME, NAPLES, AUD COMO BADEN WINTER AT FLORENCE SIENA 

 LETTER FROM LORD BROUGHAM MR. MOI7NTSTUART ELPHINSTONK 

 L1FK AT ROME CAMPAGNA CATTLE. 



[My mother was already meditating writing a book upon 

 Physical Geography, and had begun to collect materials 

 for it, when my father's long and dangerous illness 

 obliged her to lay it aside for a time. My father was 

 ordered to a warmer climate for the winter, and as soon 

 as he was able to travel we proceeded to Rome. We 

 were hardly settled when my mother, with her usual 

 energy, set to work diligently, and began this book, which 

 was not published for some time later, as it required much 

 thought and research. She never allowed anything to 

 interfere with her morning's work ; after that was over 

 she was delighted to join in any plan which had been 

 formed for the afternoon's amusement, and enjo3 r ed her- 

 self thoroughly, whether in visiting antiquities and 

 galleries, excursions in the neighbourhood, or else going 

 with a friend to paint on the Campagna. My mother was 

 extremely fond of Rome, and often said no place had 

 ever suited her so well. Independently of the picturesque 

 beauty of the place, which, to such a lover of nature, 

 was sufficient in itself, there was a very pleasant society 



