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Hotel Royal
Danieli
Venise

Oct. 9th, 1894.

Dear Mr. Hecker:

There is little concerning the voyage to add to my letter written on board ship. All went well and delightfully up to the time of going ashore. Bellinetti met me at the steamer and is an unusually intelligent and capable man. I spent Thursday and Friday at Genoa, Saturday at Milan, Sunday (a red letter day) at Verona, arriving here Sunday evening.

The weather is and has been perfect --- about 60° during the warmer hours charging 5° to 10° during the cooler hours. We have had rain one half day only, but prior to my arrival very heavy rains occurred so the country looks green fresh and beautiful as America in June. Fruit is plentiful and good. The foliage is full and very charming --- and being out of the season, no crowds at hotels, stations or elsewhere.

Now is the time to see what I came to enjoy and, if I enjoy it not the fault will be mine. I am feeling pretty well but am taking exercise moderately and shall continue to do so until I feel thoroughly strong again. 

The harbour and private palaces at Genoa pleased me greatly. A half dozen paintings and one private collection at Milan are, according to my taste, extremely choice. The Cathedral! well, very disappointing!! especially after the architecture of the Palace Durazzo!! in Genoa --- which possesses certain refinements of style to me, far more beautiful than any detail of the Cathedral. The latter I would call simply imposing and overgrown, overdone.

Verona with its beautiful town hall, delightful surrounding country and marvellous Guisti garden!! Well for me rather one Verona than a thousand Milans. And of the garden --- well some day when so many of the attractions of Venice can not be seen from my window, directly in front of San Giorgio, I will be better able to express my opinions of Guisti, also of Venice. Would you call me unbalanced if I should tell you that in my humble opinion Whistler's "Little Venice" is more beautiful than Venice herself seen from the same point of view.