The ‘grippe’ has gripped us here most universally, and no wonder, considering our most exceptional weather; and better the grippe than the fever which preceded it.  Such cold has not been known here for years, and it has extended throughout the south, it seems, to Rome and Naples, where people are snowed and frozen up.  So strange.  The Arno, for the first time since ’47, has had a slice or two of ice on it.  Robert has suffered from the prevailing malady, which did not however, through the precautions we took, touch his throat or chest, amounting only to a bad cold in the head.  Peni was afflicted in the same way but in a much slighter degree, and both are now quite well.  As for me I have caught no cold—­only losing my breath and my soul in the usual way, the cough not being much.  So that we have no claim, any of us, on your compassion, you see....

I think, I think Miss Blackwell has succeeded in frightening you a little.  In the case of chaos, she will fly to England, I suppose; and even there she may fall on a refugee plot; for I have seen a letter of Mazzini’s in which it was written that people stood on ruins in England, and that at any moment there might be a crash!  Certainly, confusion in Paris would be followed by confusion in Italy and everywhere on the Continent at least, so I should never think of running away, let what might happen.  In ’52 and ’53, when we were in Paris, there was more danger than could arise now, under a successful plot even; for, even if the Emperor fell, the people and the army seem prepared to stand by the dynasty.  Also, public order has attained to some of the force of an habitual thing.

As to the crime,[57] it has no more sympathy here than in France—­be sure of that.  That unscrupulous bad party is repudiated by this majority—­by this people as a mass.  I hear nothing but lamentations that Italians should be dishonored so by their own hands.  Father Prout says that the Emperor’s speech is ’the most heroic document of this century,’ and in my mind the praise is merited.  So indignant I feel with Mazzini and all who name his name and walk in his steps, that I couldn’t find it in my heart to write (as I was going to do) to that poor bewitched Jessie on her marriage.  Really, when I looked at the pen, I couldn’t move it....

Best love from
BA.

* * * * *

To Mrs. Martin

Florence:  March 27 [1858]

This moment I take up my pen to write to you, my dearest Mrs. Martin.  Did you not receive a long letter I wrote to you in Paris?  No?  Answer me categorically....