'My dear Leighton--I hope--and think--you know what delight it gave me to hear from you two months ago. I was in great trouble at the time about my wife who was seriously ill. As soon as she could bear removal we brought her to a villa here. She slowly recovered and is at last _well_ --I believe--but weak still and requiring more attention than usual. We shall be obliged to return to Rome for the winter--not choosing to risk losing what we have regained with some difficulty. Now you know why I did not write at once--and may imagine why, having waited so long, I put off telling you for a week or two till I could say certainly what we do with ourselves. If any amount of endeavour could induce you to join us there--Cartwright, Russell, the Vatican and all--and if such a step were not inconsistent with your true interests--you should have it: but I know very well that you love Italy too much not to have had weighty reasons for renouncing her at present--and I want your own good and not my own contentment in the matter. Wherever you are, be sure I shall follow your proceedings with deep and true interest. I heard of your successes--and am now anxious to know how you get on with the great picture, the 'Ex voto'--if it does not prove full of beauty and power, two of us will be shamed, that's all! But _I_ don't fear, mind! Do keep me informed of your progress, from time to time--a few lines will serve--and then I shall slip some day into your studio, and buffet the piano, without having grown a stranger. Another thing--do take proper care of your health, and exercise yourself; give those vile indigestions no chance against you; keep up your spirits, and be as distinguished and happy as God meant you should. Can I do anything for you at Rome--not to say, Florence? We go thither (i.e. to Florence) to-morrow, stay there a month, probably, and then take the Siena road again.' The next paragraph refers to some orders for photographs, and is not specially interesting. Cartwright arrived here a fortnight ago--very pleasant it was to see him: he left for Florence, stayed a day or two and returned to Mrs. Cartwright (who remained at the Inn) and they all departed prosperously yesterday for Rome. Odo Russell spent two days here on his way thither--we liked him much. Prinsep and Jones--do you know them?--are in the town. The Storys have passed the summer in the villa opposite,--and no less a lion than dear old Landor is in a house a few steps off. I take care of him--his amiable family having clawed him a little too sharply: so strangely do things come about! I mean his Fiesole 'family'--a trifle of wife, sons and daughter--not his English relatives, who are generous and good in every way.