She is often for writing letters to you; but when what she writes is
privately taken from her, she makes no inquiry about it, but takes a new
sheet, and begins again.
Sometimes she draws; but her subjects are generally angels and saints.
She often meditates in a map of the British dominions, and now and then
wishes she were in England.
Lady Juliana de Sforza is earnest to have her with her at Urbino, or at
Milan, where she has also a noble palace; but I hope it will not be
granted. That lady professes to love her; but she cannot be persuaded
out of her notion of harsh methods, which will never do with Clementina.
I shall not be able to stay long with her. The discomposure of so
excellent a young creature affects me deeply. Could I do her either good
or pleasure, I should be willing to deny myself the society of my dear
friends at Florence: but I am persuaded, and have hinted as much, that
one interview with you would do more to settle her mind, than all the
methods they have taken.
I hope, sir, to see you before you leave Italy. It must be at Florence,
not at Bologna, I believe. It is generous of you to propose the latter.
I have now been here a week, without hope. The doctors they have
consulted are all for severe methods, and low diet. The first, I think,
is in compliment to some of the family. She is so loath to take
nourishment, and when she does, is so very abstemious, that the regimen
is hardly necessary.
Pages:
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68