Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of November 3, 1881

Overview

The journey ended with a string of bright Italian impressions, from greenery and golden autumn color to the moonlit quiet of their late arrival in Naples. Richard's chief distress came not from travel itself but from the children's untidiness and from his own sharp scolding of them, which soon filled him with remorse. Fatigue, beauty, and self-reproach all mingled as the family finally reached the Hotel Bristol near midnight.

Content

Thursday, November 3:

R. slept quite well in his little room, and the public welcome is held in Pesaro before Rossini. From then on various happy impressions, much greenery, golden autumn colors, Ancona splendid, Osimo pretty. R. is unfortunately vexed by the children's untidiness; he scolds them severely.

Slow arrival - R. says it is curious how long things take when one is almost there. At last, around eleven o'clock, in Naples. Moonlight and silence. Arrival at the Hotel Bristol, all tired. R. is worried about having scolded the children; he feels it is always unjust.