spent a most
agreeable day on board the _Victoria_, three-decker, and saw every
part of the three decks, which are very different from what they
were in my father's time; everything on a much larger scale, more
elegant and convenient. But the greatest change is in the men; I
never saw a finer set, so gentlemanly-looking and well-behaved;
almost all can read and write, and they have an excellent library
and reading-room in all the ships. No sooner was the fleet gone than
the Italian Society of Natural History held their annual meeting
here, Capellini[17] being president in the absence (in Borneo) of
Giacomo Doria. There were altogether seventy members, Italian,
French, and German. I was chosen an Associate by acclamation, and
had to write a few lines of thanks. The weather was beautiful and
the whole party dined every day on the terrace below our windows,
which was very amusing to Miss Campbell and your sisters, who
distinctly heard the speeches. I was invited to dinner and the wife
of the celebrated Professor Vogt was asked to meet me; I declined
dining, as it lasted so long that I should have been too tired, but
I went down to the dessert. Capellini came for me, and all rose as I
came in, and every attention was shown me, my health was drank, &c.
&c. It lasted four days, and we had many evening visits, and I
received a quantity of papers on all subjects. I am working very
hard (for me at least), but I cannot hurry, nor do I see the need
for it. I write so slowly on account of the shaking of my hand that
although my head is clear I make little but steady progress....

Your affectionate mother,
MARY SOMERVILLE.

* * * * *

After the battle of Aspromonte, Garibaldi arrived a prisoner on board a
man-of-war, and was placed at Varignano under surveillance. His wound
had not been properly dressed, and he was in a state of great suffering.
Many surgeons came from all parts of Italy, and one even from England,
to attend him, but the eminent Professor Nelaton saved him from
amputation, with which he was threatened, by extracting the bullet from
his ankle. I never saw Garibaldi during his three months' residence at
Varignano and Spezia; I had no previous acquaintance with him;
consequently, as I could be of no use to him,