Letter from Mrs. Bowyer-Smijth, Villa Galli, Florence, to Baroness Marie Blaze de Bury, 1858? August 24 : autograph manuscript signed.

Thanking her for a letter, noting that Sir William (Bowyer-Smijth) called repeatedly upon Madame Blaze de Bury in London but never found her at home, and stating that she is longing to see her; confirming that Blaze de Bury's "Leonie" arrived "quite safe", and that she has delivered it to Lord Normanby, having first taken the liberty of reading it herself, and informing her of Lord Normanby's admiration for her as an author; responding to her inquiries regarding Madame Blaze de Bury's plans to visit her (at Villa Galli), saying that "the sooner you come the better", as they occupy a "pretty villa" close to Lord Normanby's residence, and that, should she wish for "much gaiety" during her visit she should not come before January, "when the court ball & carnaval begin", as before that, in November and December, there will be nothing but the opera and some dinners and "stupid receptions" for her to attend; urging her to come, although there is the possibility that they might relocate to Paris as "Sir William has been promised an appointment for his boy as attaché & if he gets it he will remain in England with him while the boy is being prepared for his examination in which case Sir W. would prefer our being in Paris as it is more getatable"; asking her to send copies of the "Revue des deux mondes" featuring her articles, saying "the American magazines you sent to Ld. N. have had such success here that people are wild to see a little more of yr. writing".