Don't be startled at seeing my writing instead of papa's. These
are the reasons: first, we are at Herr von Oste's, and the Herr
Baron Christiani is also here, and they have so much to talk
about, that papa cannot possibly find time to write; and,
secondly, he is too lazy. We arrived here at 4 o'clock this
afternoon, and are both well. All our good friends are in the
country or at Mantua, except Herr von Taste and his wife, who
send you and my sister their compliments. Herr Misliweczeck [a
young composer of operas from Paris] is still here. There is not
a word of truth either in the Italian war, which is so eagerly
discussed in Germany, or in the castles here being fortified.
Forgive my bad writing.

Address your letters direct to us, for it is not the custom here,
as in Germany, to carry the letters round; we are obliged to go
ourselves to fetch them on post-days. There is nothing new here;
we expect news from Salzburg.

Not having a word more to say, I must conclude. Our kind regards
to all our friends. We kiss mamma 1,000,000,000 times (I have no
room for more noughts); and as for my sister, I would rather
embrace her in persona than in imagination.



44.

CARISSIMA SORELLA,--