X6.

Spite of all, was up before 8, & after breakfast, worked at  the Campagna till 3: it is not satisfactory, but I am too unhinged to paint it better.

Wrote to B.H.H.

Letter from B.H.H. ― old Mr. Blackmore is dead. Yet it seems but a little while, ― that Xmas, when we were all so merry there: ― that must have been in 1839. ―

I walked to Hastings ― a gray day, ― to sketch some brambles: but I did little. ― The East cliff is ever beautiful. At 5 ― sate an hour with Mr. G. Scrivens & came to 119. There I found 3 letters, from Mrs. H. Hunt, telling me of her father’s death: from F.L. ― & from good Giorgio, who writes, in all ways, well. He has been to Patrasso ― as he calls it. His plain fidelity is delightful ― & I must write to the good fellow tomorrow.

― Would I could decide on going to Rome! ―

[Transcribed by Marco Graziosi from Houghton Library, Harvard University, MS Eng. 797.3.]