It is strong and healthy at once, teaching a moral frightfully wanted in English society.

Such an interesting letter I had from Mrs.Gaskell a few days ago simple, worthy of 'Ruth.' By the way, 'Ruth' is a great advance on 'Mary Barton,' don't you think so?
'Villette,' too (Jane Eyre's), is very powerful.
Since we have been here we have had for a visitor (drawing the advantage from our spare room) Mr.Lytton, Sir Edward's only son, who is attache at the Florence Legation at this time.

He lost nothing from the test of house-intimacy with either of us--gained, in fact, much.

Full of all sorts of good and nobleness he really is, and gifted with high faculties and given to the highest aspirations--not vulgar ambitions, understand--he will never be a great diplomatist, nor fancy himself an inch taller for being master of Knebworth.[27] Then he is somewhat dreamy and unpractical, we must confess; he won't do for drawing carts under any sort of discipline.

Such a summer we have enjoyed here, free from burning heats and mosquitos--the two drawbacks of Italy--and in the heart of the most enchanting scenery.