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R Finch (Balliol, antiquary, widely travelled in Europe and Holy Land, resident in Rome) in Pisa to PE in Naples. Hasn't written because of an eye complaint. Congratulates PE on his appointment re the Herculaneum mss., though regrets that Sophocles will have to be laid aside. Hints that Lord Spencer was closely watched in Florence in case he removed anything. Remarks on the English party scene in Florence. Horsfall p476.

J.Bull thanks PE for a magnificent present - has been to the Westminster Play (Epilogue not bad).

J.Bull congratulates PE on his learning

From various people to Dr Elmsley

C Goddard - has sent some notes to Collingwood (see row 49 - from the Press?). Cannot work for the moment as his son has an obstruction of the mesenteric glands. Ref to Lord G. (Grenville? - see 49).

Ditto, asking if PE has received a note from Lord Grenville re the cancellation of 2 pages (cf. row 49).

Letters to and from family

Florence. Notice in Giornale di Milano that PE arrived on 28/09 and left on 10/10 (but 3 day trip to Como, where Caroline of Brunswick was behaving with as little discretion as she did in England). Had crossed the Alps via Simplon (formerly as little known as Orpington until Napoleon's new road). Description of journey from Switzerland to Milan. Book shopping in Milan. Cheap visit to la Scala (250 boxes, in each of which an ugly countess with a male friend - PE reminded of what Charles II said of his brother, that the choice of his mistresses was presented to him by his confessor by way of penance - so the Italians pout and quarrel as if they were really man and wife). Tedious 6 day journey from Milan to Florence - saw part of Pope's army (well dressed and well looking lads). Sonnet written to celebrate PE's arrival - but a standard one presented to every English visitor to the Albergo delle Quatro Nazioni, so returned without payment. Intends to remain 6-8 weeks. Huge choice offered at dinner - Italians know how to roast, which the French do not. 2 letters to PE missing from Post Office - possibly sent in error to Lord Elmley - one letter might have helped him gain permission to take mss from the Laurentian Library to his rooms. A little disappointed by Florence (perhaps because of its enhanced reputation), but the paving of the streets is amazing. Has met old friend Fanny Allen with her brother. Eating quantities of Parmesan. Florentine tailors work quickly - measured at dusk, and promised the suit by 9 the next morning.

Augsburg. The Sothebys Italian coachman doesn't understand German, and took the wrong road to Lake Constance - Mrs Sotheby is quite unwell. Left Munich on 29th July and intended to spend only one night in Augsburg, but has remained so as to hear daily news of Mrs S's illness - will depart on 6th August for Ulm and then Stuttgart. Route from Munich to Augsburg, via Furstenfeldbruck and its closed Benedictine abbey (closed in 1806, and in fact Cistercian). Order of 'thriving' cities - 1 Frankfurt, 2 Milan and 3 Munich. The Munich fair - PE stayed at the Black Eagle (NB Mozart had stayed here in 1790) - the landlady Madame Albert had a birthday party with 40 guests, at which a huge amount of very expensive wine was drunk. Bavarians love burgundy and champagne more than metaphysics and mathematics. The reforms of Maximilian 1, the secularisation of Bavaria and its prosperity. The Augsburg cathedral is small and mean - several Lutheran churches (following the emancipation of the Protestants) - many streets named after members of the royal family. Mrs S at one point in danger of death, but now better - PE has not gone to Ulm, but has joined the Sothebys at Schwabhausen.

Baden. Finally left Augsburg on 13th August, a fortnight later than intended. Crosses Danube for first and last time at Ulm (old and ill-built); the Minster believed by the inhabitants to be the largest church in Germany (actually, it has the world's highest steeple); cheapest lodging so far on his travels. Ulm's change of dominion from Bavaria to Wurttemberg (1810) most visible in the colour of the postillions' jackets. Wurttemberg a small kingdom the king lives modestly (unlike his father). Stuttgart clean, well-built and dull - upper classes as mean with hospitality as the Italians. Left on 19th August - supped in same room in Karlsruhe as he had on 29th August, 1816. - nothing to see, so on the next day to Baden, a most agreeable watering hole. Gewrman custom of dining at 1.00 allows for long afternoon walks. Loses money at a public gaming table. Will remain until he hears from the Sothebys, and expects, after all the delays, to be back in England by Michaelmas Day (29th September) rather than 1st September. Apparently had been planning to leave again on 10th October in order to be in Milan by 1st November, but that now out of the question, since he would not have time to prepare himself, and he would not choose to cross the Alps in November.