[Rome—Monday, 12 March 1860]
Monday 12th Mr Newton breakfasted with us talking wonderfully well of his experiences in Asia Minor and of his new book, directly after he left I went up to sit with Miss Stebbins and read with her. She is just finishing her Lotus Eater. The morning was exquisite as only a Roman spring morning knows how to be so soft and mild, boys standing at the corners of the streets with freshly picked violets and everything wearing the festal look of Spring even those waiting clouds of brilliant white which by and bye may overspread the blue.
