260 Mary Somerville* 



gondolas from one side to the other, jammed together, so 

 that we moved en masse, and stopped every now and then 

 to burn blue or red Bengal lights before the principal 

 palaces, singing going on all the while. We saw num- 

 bers of our Venetian friends in their gondolas, enjoying 

 the scene as much as we did, to whom it was almost new. 

 I never saw people who enjoyed life more, and they 

 have much the advantage of us in their delicious climate 

 and aquatic amusements, so much more picturesque than 

 what can be done on land. However, we have had no 

 less than three dances lately. The Grand Duke of Mo- 

 dena, with his son and daughter-in-law, were here, and to 

 them a fete was given by the Countess de Thurn. The 

 palace was brilliant with lights ; it is on the grand canal, 

 and immediately under the balcony was a boat from 

 which fireworks were let off, and then a couple of boats 

 succeeded them, in which choruses were sung. The view 

 from the balcony is one of the finest in Venice, and the 

 night was charming, and there I was while the dancing 



went on I never saw Somerville so well; this 



place suits us to the life, constant air and no fatigue ; I 



never once have had a headache Now, my dear 



W., tell me your tale ; my tale is done. 



Yours affectionately, 



MARY SOMERVILLE. 



FROM MRS. SOMERVILLE TO WORONZOW GREIG, ESQ. 

 ROME, PALAZZO LEPKI, VIA DEI CONDOTTI, 27th October, 1843. 

 MY DEAREST WORONZOW, 



We had a beautiful journey to Rome, 



with fine weather and no annoyance, notwithstanding the 

 disturbed state of the country. At Padua we only re- 



