Untitled Page 7

[Left side]

Mountains - [ ? ed?] almost
at their tips overlooking the plain
and the beautiful sea - at
last we saw the grand old
mountain of Vesuvius only its
outline but we heard it
and [discerned, discovered ?] the red light
[f]issue and clouds of smoke -
Leland was wild with interest
I have read a good deal to him
about Rome and Naples - also the
last days of Pompeii aloud -
We had written for rooms at the
Hotel Bristol as Mr Mills staid [sic]
here it is perched high up on
the hill side overlooking Naples
and on Vesuvius - but we
do not stay here in spite of
its wonderful fascinations Such
a night as we had clear
not a cloud and and we watched
this great silvery moon in the
blue sky as it rose from
behind Vesuivus at 8 oclock.

[Right side]

Pope appeared tall thin
white as marble dressed in
white [murruin?] dress with a
wide natural ribbon sash
round his waist surrounded
by six or seven chamberlains
and guard - he slowly came
down the side of the room
saying a few words to each
laying his hand on their
heads to bless them. an officer
preceeded him asking the
names and then announced
them quietly to the Pope he soon
reached us the officer recognized
Clara and said quietly to the
Pope particularly . So he halted
blessed Clara laid his hand
on my head and said I give
you the blessings of your heart
he then took my hand his
was like ice - on the third
finger he had on his ring
of sap[p]hire and diamonds - and