[Rome—Saturday, 3 March 1860]
Saturday 3d Mr Newton called with the illustrations for his fine book also to ask us to his house tonight. We have already promised Mrs Chapman and Mrs Rogers but we must contrive to go and go honorably nevertheless. Have been to the Farnesina Villa to see the exquisite frescoes by Raphael and his pupils. The color is ruined, nevertheless the drawing gives them immortality. His genius seemed to rejoice in the scope which the subject and the place extended to him. The frescoes by Sodoma too are unrivalled. The marriage of Alexander and Roxana pours new light and new beauty upon the world.
