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le 17th Oct. 1894

Hotels Royaux Grande
Bretagne and Arno
Choistri and Chiari
Florence

Dear Mr. Hecker:

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The joy of being entirely out of the harness of business for a year means a great deal --- and I, now, for the first time in my life, appreciate all that it means. Today, in counting up time, I could scarcely believe that five days later on twelfth of my year will be gone. ********************
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What a great store house of interest this marvellous Italy!! And how magnificent some of her early rulers? The Medici!! From what I have thus far seen I cannot believe they knew as much about architecture and furniture and gold and silverware as did some of the Genoese, but they must have been in full sympathy with the arts of painting, sculpture, and gardening, i.e. the very best of these then being practiced. Yes, surely they knew or they would not have encouraged those great artists who did so much to make the Medici remembered today. To fully appreciate this 1st one first visit the Academy then the Uffizi, next the Pitti - the Loggia del Signori - the Bobli garden - afterwards drive to Castello and spend the day at Villa Casteilo and Villa della Petraia. Then as one stands upon the terrace of Petrais after having passed hours amidst the most delight-ful flowers, trees and shrubs, and after having enjoyed miles of splendid avenues and seen John Bologna's fountains, then, I say, as he stands upon the terrace of Petraia and sees Florence five miles distant, at sunset, and listens to the bells of the city, and the gentle wind sighing through the tall cypresses, and thinks of the history of what he has seen and then feels - he must say yes, the Medici were magnificent. I want very much to tell you in detail about at least one garden, but I fear I will be too stingy of my time until the last one has been visited - or, perhaps a break may come in these sunny days and rain may keep me within doors. At least, I feel sure in promising you a long letter about gardens when I am next on board ship.

Transcription Notes:
unsure if asterisks need to be included