[Florence]: Casa Guidi: Friday [October 1859].

Ever dearest Mona Nina,--Here we are at our Florence, very thankful for
the advantages of our Siena residence. God has been kind. When I think
how I went away and how I came back, it seems to me wonderful. For the
latter fortnight the tide of life seemed fairly to set in again, and now
I am quite well, if not as strong--which, of course, could not be in the
time. My doctor opened his eyes to see me yesterday so right in looks
and ways. But we spend the winter in Rome, because the great guns of the
revolution (and even the small daggers) will be safer to encounter than
any sort of tramontana. To tell you the truth, dearest friend, there
have been moments when I have 'despaired of the republic'--that is,
doubted much whether I should ever be quite well again; I mean as
tolerably well as it is my normal state to be. So severe the attack was
altogether.

As to political affairs, I will use the word of Penini's music-master
when asked the other day how they went on--'_Divinamente_,' said he.
Things are certainly going _divinamente_. I observe that, while
politicians by profession, by the way, have various opinions, and hope
and fear according to their temperaments, _the people_ here are steadily
sanguine, distrusting nobody if it isn't a Mazzinian or a codino, and
looking to the end with a profound interest, of course, but not any
inquietude. '_Divinamente_' things are going on.

There is an expectation, indeed, of fighting, but only with the Pope's
troops (and we all know what a '_soldato del papa_' means), or with such
mongrel defenders as can be got up by the convicts of Modena or Tuscany
to give us an occasion of triumph presently. The expected outburst in
Sicily and the Neapolitan States will simply extend the movement. That's
_our_ way of thinking and hoping. May God defend the right!

Mr. Probyn, a Liberal M.P., has come out here to appreciate the
situation, and said last night that, after visiting the north of Italy
and speaking with the chiefs, he is full of hope. Not quite so is
Cartwright, whom you know, and who came to us at Siena. But Mr.
Cartwright exceeds Dr. Cumming in the view of Napoleon, who isn't
Antichrist to him, but is assuredly the devil. I like Mr. Cartwright,
observe, but I don't like his modes of political thinking, which are
'after the strictest sect' and the reddest-tape English. He and his
family are gone to Rome, and find the whole city 'to be hired.' Family
men in general are not likely to go there this winter, and we shall find
the coast very clear. And _you_--dearest friend, you seem to have given
up Italy altogether this winter. Unless you come to Rome, we shall not
be the better for your crossing the Alps. The Eckleys have settled in
Florence till next year. The Perkinses also. Isa Blagden is at her
villa, which, if she lets, she may pay Miss Cushman a visit in Rome
towards the spring, but scarcely earlier.

After the dreary track of physical discomfort was passed, I enjoyed
Siena much, and so did Robert, and the next time we have to spend a
summer in Tuscany we shall certainly turn our faces that way. When able
to drive, I drove about with Robert and enjoyed the lovely country; and
once, on the last day, I ventured into the gallery and saw the divine
Eve of Sodoma for the second time. But I never entered the
cathedral--think of that! There were steps to be mounted. But I have the
vision of it safe within me since nine years ago. The Storys, let me
remember to tell you gratefully, were very kind and very delicate,
offering all kindnesses I could receive, and no other....

Did I tell you that Jessie Mario had written to me from Romagna? You
know, in any case, that she and her husband were arrested subsequently
and sent into Switzerland. The other day I had two printed letters from
the newspaper 'Evening Star,' enclosed to me by herself or her brother,
I suppose--one the production of her husband, and one of Brofferio the
advocate. I thought both were written in a detestable spirit, attempting
to throw an odium on the governments of central Italy, which they should
all three have rather died in their own poor personal reputations than
have wished to hazard under present circumstances. Mazzini and his party
have only to keep still, if _indeed_ they do _not_ desire to swamp the
great Italian cause. Every movement made by them is a gain to Austria--a
clear gain. Every word spoken by them, even if it applaud us, goes
against the cause! Whoever has a conscience among them, let him consider
this and be still....