Letter from Susan Horner, Florence, to Mrs. Field, 1874 December 20 : autograph manuscript signed.

Expressing her pleasure at hearing the plans are moving ahead for the Centennial Exhibition and adding that she has been told "... the English Government has promised to send over Commissioners to the Exhibition & that Congress is also more favourable to the project that formerly appeared;" commenting on news of the poor health of a mutual friend and describing the Christmas party she will attend hosted by Mr. Graham, the American Consul, and his wife; saying "They collect generally upwards of 200 children from mere babes to little girls & boys of 12 or 14, & besides, grown up young ladies & gentlemen - There is a large tree rich with gifts & games for the little ones & dances for those who are older, & much enjoyment for the oldest like ourselves, who only look on - It begins sensibly at seven o'clock - I quite enter into your enjoyment of Rome - the most interesting place in the world, though whilst one delights in those excavations, as in the realisation of some familiar tale or romance, I always feel thankful to live in another age & that the cruel wicked tyrants of old & ruthless soldiers have so long passed from this earth;" thanking her for her kind letter and sending her compliments to Mr. Field.