John Gibson at Rome. 231 



during many seasons we spent there. The visitors were 

 far less numerous than they are now, hut on that very 

 account there was more sociability and intimacy, and 

 scarcely an evening passed without our meeting. The 

 artists residing at Rome, too, were a most delightful 

 addition to society. Some of them became our very dear 

 friends. My mother remarks : 



took lodgings at Borne, and as soon as we 

 were settled I resumed my work and wrote every 

 morning till two o'clock, then went to some gallery, 

 walked on the Pincio, dined at six, and in the 

 evening either went out or received visits at home 

 the pleasantest way of seeing friends, as it does 

 not interfere with one's occupations. 



We once joined a party that was arranged to see 

 the statues in the Vatican by torchlight, at which 

 Lord Macaulay astonished us by his correct know- 

 ledge and learning as we passed through the gallery 

 of inscriptions. To me this evening was memorable ; 

 on this occasion I first met with John Gibson, the 

 sculptor, who afterwards became a dear and valued 

 friend. He must have been a pupil of Canova's 

 or Thorwald sen's when Somerville and I were first 

 at Rome. Now his fame was as great as that of 

 either of his predecessors. 



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