I think the writer of this letter has French as her first language as is indicated by a couple of linguistic choices (“determination firm”, “the 12 October”). She is Louisa (possibly originally Louise) Prevost married to an Englishman James Prevost (d 1865 and buried in Livorno). In retirement they are living on dividend income in Livorno, always called Leghorn by expatriate residents. The letter is written in 1848, Europe’s year of revolutions and the writer references events locally and more generally in Italy and France; she writes about Anglo-French relations but professes ignorance of politics, which she leaves to her husband.
I do not know the exact relationship to the niece
(Jane Gurnell) to whom this letter is addressed and I do not have the
surname of the writer prior to marriage. The Gurnell sisters occur in Ramsgate
histories as benefactors to the Anglican church.
Transcription
Addressed to: A Mademoiselle
Mademoiselle Jane Gurnell Albany
Lodge Ramsgate Vale Isle of Thanet Angleterre
Postmarked: LIVORNO 16 Nov 1848,
London transit 24 NO 1848, RAMSGATE receiver NO 24 1848
Docketing note: Louisa
My dear Niece
You have indeed given me a very
agreeable surprise by writing to me after so many months have past since I left
Chelsea. I often think of the old house which is of course unchanged in my
memory and I have a consolation in finding that my dear nieces are still the same good hearted girls of
former days. Prevost and self cordially thank you for your kind invitation which we
gladly accept if not at the present moment it will be for some future period as
we cannot know what may happen from one moment to the other Tuscany being in
such an unsettled state it is now more than twelve months that we have been in commotion and Prevost
always repeats that we have not yet passed the worst of it although we have had some rough nights and
days to pass sometimes the firing of the populace has been quite insupportable
so much so that at last we ran away at a moments notice to a Country house at
Montenero where we spent a month very agreeable as it was the time of vintage
but as the rainy weather began in october
we returned to Leghorn with a determination firm to take our chance as
we think that such people as us have little to fear for should we leave at this
moment we should lose a good sum of money as we have a lease of our house and
besides that if we were to sell our furniture at this critical time we should
be out of pocket as there are few persons inclined to lay out their money. I
suppose you see that we have changed our ministers and that Montanelli [leader of the radical democrats, Giuseppe Montanelli] &c
are quite republicans so it gives little
confidence for trade, but we have had these few days intelligence from Vienne which
should it be true, will have of course a great effect upon Tuscany and it will
give a check to the ministers, but I must not enter into politics as I know
very little about them, as I do not care a straw about who reigns or who falls,
for I find we are always the worst for it, and that our dividends diminish.
You say in your letter that I
must know all the family news, well I am sure I know very little about all of
you but I suppose and hope that for all of your dear sakes all is well indeed I
have often wondered how you came to choose Ramsgate for your residence and how
you divided the furniture for my part I regret my Madonna that Kate promised to
give me when finished but if ever I have an opportunity of having it or a copy
I shall claim it again, I hear by Louisa that you have become very industrious
and that you have worked a carpet I suppose your house is very smart as Kate is
so particular about it, you my dear Jane I see have become quite a Politician
it is a pity we are so far apart as you would be well with Prevost as he is
always occupied with his Gazettes he has at least a dozen brought him every day
in the morning and so you must think what a pasturage it is, he amuses himself
with reading and I am obliged to mind the house for the servants in Italy are
wretchedly dirty and great thieves
I can assure you I am greatly
annoyed in this country and often regret France which I fear is in a bad state,
ah! I always say that England has had a good deal to do in it and that they
have helped to dethrone poor Louis Philippe and to ruin poor France but however
it has made good for the Country particularly London as you now have all the
rich and high people with you and we must and ought to hope for the prosperity of
England as our interest lies in it but I cannot for all that but find pity for
the Orleans family and think they have been badly used, is it not curious that
Louis Naopleon should have a chance of coming to the presidency of France after
having done so many foolish tricks and trips indeed I think the French have
lost their senses and have become mad in all their folly and nonsense and I do
not know what will become of them .
My dear Jane you know very well
that you must excuse both the shortness and the
stupidity of my letter as I am
but a poor scribe and very lazy for
writing, and all sort of such … business, however, I will ask Prevost to write
a few lines , because he will …more and better than me, give my best love to
Louisa and Kate . I owe an answer to Louisa’s last letter which I must begin to
think about, it appears that she like me like me suffers from toothack and from
the cold, it seems that we shall indeed have a severe winter as we begin to
feel the cold, and that the mountains are covered in snow, we have had a
terrible hot summer so to that we feel the cold
more. I can assure you that this country is not so fine a climate as the
winters make it and that orange and Lemon
trees are not better looking than the
Evergreens of England and that the oranges of Piccadilly are quite as sweet but
perhaps some day you will take courage and come and see me as I shall be glad
to give you a welcome give my kind remembrance to Ann if she is still with you
and with the hopes that you will write soon believe me to be your affectionate
and Sincere Aunt Louisa
Leghorn the 12 October 1848
Wikipedia: Tuscan Republic (1849)
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