Autograph letter signed : Lausanne, to Dr. Baldwin, [1892] Aug. 3.

Explaining why he hasn't written sooner; saying "... in truth my situation has been steadily unfavourable to writing. My days in Venice were spent in servitude to the friends I was staying with, & I had scarce a moment to call my own. My hostess was too absorbing. Since coming here I have been in servitude to my relations, my brother & his wife & children; & it is only because they have dispersed that I find time today - the 1st moment of isolation - to send you a greeting. Oh, I was heart broken at leaving Italy. I enjoyed intensely my few days in Venice & was more afflicted that I can say at not being able to make them more. I conceived at least a really definite plan of getting hold - the very next time I go - of some little pied-a-terre there - i.e. in Venice the cheap! - as a permanent occasional asylum - an Italian refuge. I joined my brother here - a place intrinsically unattractive but which I shall probably leave in a very few days for London, where kindly address me. He has left for the Engadine - on a short walking tour. If you are there I hope you may meet him; but I am too ignorant of the whereabouts of both of you to place you in communication. My sister & 2 of her children have gone into the pleasant Vaudois country - the two others are domiciled with respective tutors. I shall be in London by the 15th. Those 2 or 3 days in Florence seem a romantic dream, & the Cascine in the p.m. the most delicate of fairytales. I hope Vallombrosa has had comforts & no disappointments. Do give me a word of your news. Don't emulate my silence - of which I have been ashamed."