"I heard that one of the three Giustiniani palaces, situated not far from the Palazzo Foscari, was at present very little patronized by visitors, on account of its situation, which in the winter is somewhat unfavourable.
I found some very spacious and imposing apartments there, all of which they told me would remain uninhabited.

I here engaged a large stately room with a spacious bedroom adjoining.

I had my luggage quickly transferred there, and on the evening of the 30th August I said to myself, 'At last I am living in Venice.' "My leading idea was that I could work here undisturbed.

I immediately wrote to Zuerich asking for my Erard 'Grand' and my bed to be sent on to me, as, with regard to the latter, I felt that I should find out what cold meant in Venice.

In addition to this, the grey-washed walls of my large room soon annoyed me, as they were so little suited to the ceiling, which was covered with a fresco which I thought was rather tasteful.