120 MEMOIE OF ALFRED SMEE. [Chap. X. 



We came yesterday (Mouday) to Trieste, arriving at ten at mght. 

 As you have done the road, I need not describe it. It is a very fine 

 journey, the Semmering being covered with the lovely Gentian Vema. 

 The Edelweiss was sold by ragged boys at the stations. I bought you a 

 little bouquet of flowers. I wanted to have got a lot of roots, but 

 somehow or other Herr B. did not act with sufficient energy, and I only 

 bought two plants of the gai'dener at English prices, one for you and one 

 for myself. 



We did our journey amidst cloud and rain, which made the effects in 

 the mountains very fine and beautiful. To get from here to Venice we go 

 either by water or by rail. Some want one way and some another, where- 

 upon an argument arises. 



I shall remain calm upon the point, as I do not care one hair's breadth 

 which way we go. 



I have been much pleased to watch the progress of the trees, for 

 although we are so much south, we are still much in the same state as 

 you are in England : for example, the apple-trees are in the beginning of 

 flower; the horse-chestnuts in the sam^e state. The vines have barely 

 started, so that when they begin they wiU go on at a terrible rate, to make 

 up in summer for the lost time in winter and spring. 



Keep your house moist. Give water to the atmosphere by watering the 

 floor and walls every day, and, above all things, do not permit cold blasts of air. 



Yesterday I despatched a box of alpines to England of my own 

 getting, but really, when you are out for the whole day, there is very little 

 time for plant-hunting, which is tiring and wearisome. 



I am wiiting this letter, looking over the Adriatic, with its ships 

 and port. 



Write and tell me how your little man is (his grandson) .... I must 

 bring him home a little plant, as we must make him love fruit and 

 flowers, &c. &c. 



Yesterday we had the most lovely day at Trieste; one of those 

 grand sunshines which Italy only can offer. We drove along the 

 bay to the house of Maximilian, one of the most beautiful houses 

 which I ever saw. It was faultless in design, fitted up with the 

 most exquisite taste. The gardens were delightful, and for the first 

 time the nightingales sung their delicious tunes. AH was lovely, whether 

 within or without. But where were the proprietors ? The lady in a 

 mad-house; the master dead from the ruthless bullets of foreign bar- 

 barians ! Avoid too much ambition. Do not desire to have the baby 

 grow as high as St. Paul's, or vmte poetry like Homer before he can 

 speak. 



" Who pants for glory, finds but short repose ; 

 A breath revives him, or a breath o'erthrows." — Pope. 



At Trieste we found the Maidenhair fern, and got a pretty good 

 handful. If you show due obedience, and speak very prettily, I will give 

 some to you. 



The Wistarias were in full blossom, and all Nature is putting forth 

 its spring attire. 



Poor Venice looks more decayed than when you were here ; but we 

 will let you know further when we have seen more, &c. &c. 



