| Description | Letter from Amelia Nyasa Laws, Hôtel Kaiserkrone, Bozen, Austria, to her relatives, with account of journey for Waidbruck and on to Seis am Schlern; beautiful omnibus drive marred by two smokers; pause half-way up the mountain to rest the horses; journey's end in a beautiful village which turned out to be St. Ulrich, not Seis; a four hour walk to get to the right place or a return to Waidbruck to start again; they decide to househunt at St. Ulrich instead; they find that all the good houses are taken, but select one for future use which is perfect; dinner at the hotel (cheap and filling); return to Waidbruck to find that misdirections often occur; next day to Seis, which Aunt does not like; the Schlern Dolomite peaks form a plateau with walls and the wind is unhealthy; difficulties in driving on steep roads; description of Bozen, and abundance of good fruit; good pottery and woodwork; journey to Sarnthein, a lovely drive; picturesque village but with no sanitation; it is a cheap retreat for Bozen people; description of odd local haylofts; hay full of flowers, and tall barley; dispute between the horses almost leads to an accident; day spent in kitchen watching local bread and cakes being made, and helping the cook; architects should cook before they build kitchens; Uncle's accommodation has been improved: Maria has been in prison for wounding a woman who assaulted her; her own family and Vincenzo's are angry with her; Dr. Brock and Uncle visited Rocca di Papa on donkeyback; Dr. Brock admits Uncle should not have had an appendectomy; Mary Rossi has been in Sweden but her letter of introduction to Baroness Alströmer was no use as the Baroness was ill; Uncle has shown Amelia's testimonials to Mrs. Schmidlapp, who wants an organ installed in the Roman church and others will subscribe to it; Amelia will be able to practise in Rome; Mrs. Conklin has given birth to a daughter - her boys can escape her more easily and the girl is to be pitied; Uncle arrives tomorrow and they will try St. Ulrich again for accommodation. |