262 Mary SomerviUe. 



public deeds their private life is a blank to us. Our 

 journey through the Apennines was most beautiful, pass- 

 ing for days under the shade of magnificent oak forests 

 or valleys rich in wine, oil, grain, and silk. We deviated 

 from the main road for a short distance to Gubbio, to see 

 the celebrated Eugubian tables, which are as sharp as if 

 they had been engraved yesterday, but in a lost language. 

 We stopped to rest at Perugia, but all our friends were at 

 their country seats, which we regretted. The country 

 round Perugia is unrivalled for richness and beauty, but 

 it rained the morning we resumed our journey. It signi- 

 fied the less as we had been previously at Citta della 

 Pieve and Chiusi ; so we proceeded to Orvieto in fine 

 weather, still through oak forests. Orvieto is situated on 

 the top of an escarped hill, very like the hill forts of 

 India, and apparently as inaccessible ; yet, by dint of 

 numberless turns and windings, we did get up, but only 

 in time for bed. Next morning we saw the sun rise on 

 the most glorious cathedral. After all we had seen we 

 were completely taken by surprise, and were filled with 

 the highest admiration at the extreme beauty and fine 



taste of this remarkable building 



Your affectionate mother, 



MARY SOMERVILLE. 



FROM MISS JOANNA BAILLIE TO MES. SOMERVILLE. 



HAMPSTEAD, December 27th, 1843. 

 MY DEAR MRS. SOMERVILLE, 



Besides being proud of receiving a letter from you, 

 I was much pleased to know that I am, though at such 

 a distance, sometimes in your thoughts. I was much 



