Letter from Maria Tunno, Florence, to Charlotte Susannah Raikes, 1820 December 5 : autograph manuscript signed.

Postscript at head of page asking Charlotte Susannah to tell dear Charlotte that they are "reading the Poets" with an Italian who comes to them every morning very early, and thinks that for their squire, this is meritorious; begging her to write to them and providing them with a contact who will forward their letters to Rome. In the body of the letter, she is despairing about not hearing a single line from Charlotte Susannah since leaving England, and the silence would render her seriously uneasy "had not my darling Rosa mentioned in one of her letters that she had heard lately from dear Anna who gave good accounts of you all"; noting that Milan is the last place from which she wrote to Charlotte Susannah; remarking that Charlotte Susannah's going to Brighton instead of Hastings is a favorable indication of everyone's health; feeling for her "poor Country" and commenting that revolution no longer seems like an idea "confined to the radical"; wondering how Caro feels in respect to the times, and remarking on Edward's indignation, which knows no bounds in regards to "the supremacy or triumph of the Mob" and "the first signal of revolution would recall him sword in hand"; feeling humiliated by how polite society in Italy will not comment on the Queen's business; remarking that this is not an issue confined to "Ladies", but is instead a national disgrace; stating that she is determined to pin her faith upon the majority despite "the great and respectable men of our Senate so divided in their opinions"; returning to descriptions of the art in Florence and the joy of finding artists whose names are unknown in England; expressing enjoyment about getting a peek into Milan society; describing a day spent in the country house with a foreign bachelor and an Italian lady; commenting on the "immorality" of the Italians' mannerisms and stating that she finds a Florentine belle less demanding than a Parisian belle, and how competition is created among admirers by dropping gloves and shawls; noting that "want of character is also, so frequently attended with much character," and that people she has met have interesting stories, like the woman who traveled alone and without friends to Paris to obtain pardon for a husband disgraced; describing their attendance of two balls given by their minister there, Lord Borghesi, who is very well liked; Augusta declared that the belle was Mrs. Locke's son; noting that Lady Borghesi seemed a bit stiff, a possible result of her constant obligation to open her house to others; sharing that she has made a point to attend as many public lectures as possible, though she finds the poetical tone in which apolitical or scientific discourse is given somewhat amusing, as the letter "r" is pronounced very strongly; noting that based on reports of the Austrians retiring, and of peace at Naples, they hope to leave for Rome on the 20th; expressing uncertainty about their plans for Naples, as they do not want to be there during a war; describing how some of her friends have said, "Over the Alps and no winter", but she still feels cold in beautiful Italy; describing Genoa and its climate, which is imled enough to produce green peas and roses year-round, as there is a keen purity in the air; describing how they even had "violets blooming on the table when there"; describing how other families have been laid up with coughs; they are in a luxurious hotel, and the accounts from Paris are satisfactory; relaying Augusta's "thousand messages" to Charlotte and Caroline.