John Gibson^ the Scidptor. 25 1 



was the purest Grecian, and had some of his works 

 been found among the ruins, multitudes would have 

 come tp Eome to admire them. He was now in 

 the height of his fame ; yet he was so kind and 

 encouraging to young people that he allowed my 

 girls to go and draw in his studio, and one 

 of my daughters, with a friend, modelled there 

 for some time. His drawings for bas-reliefs were 

 most beautiful. He drew very slowly, but a line 

 once drawn was never changed. He ignored 

 India-rubber or bread-crumbs, so perfect was his 

 knowledge of anatomy, and so decided the character 

 and expression he meant to give. 



We had charades one evening in a small theatre 

 in our house, which went off very welL There was 

 much beauty at Rome at that time ; no one who was 

 there can have forgotten the beautiful and brilliant 

 Sheridans. I recollect Lady Dufferin at the Easter 

 ceremonies at St. Peter's, in her widow's cap, with a 

 large black crape veil thrown over it, creating quite 

 a sensation. With her exquisite features, oval face, 

 and somewhat fantastical head-dress, anything more 

 lovely could not be conceived ; and the Roman 

 people crowded round her in undisguised admiration 

 of " la bella monaca Inglese." Her charm of manner 

 and her brilliant conversation will never be forgotten 

 by those who knew her. To my mind, Mrs. Norton 



