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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D258/50/8
TitlePersonal letter from Sir William Gell to brother Philip Gell from Venice `Dear Youth': Gell hates Germany. From Vienna the country improves and generally speaking is very pretty and sometimes grand to Trieste. From Trieste sailed in small boat to Venice but `were very near being cast away as our sailors were very unskilful'; the voyage took four nights and three days. At first, anchored under the Lazaretto until given clearance to land as free from plague. Venice is `certainly one of the most funny towns in the universe'. [inserts sketch of topography of Venice for Georgiana]. Comments on cleanliness, good paving and on architecture. In Piazza San Marco, pillars are not less than 60ft high, `but both capitals and bases in a dreadful bad taste'. [inserts sketch of Piazza San Marco with buildings named]. `The four antique horse are now trotted off to Paris'. `Porphyry and such vile stuff is too common to speak of. Describes social life of Venice - serenades, `somebody in the shape of a bishop gave fireworks in a square here the other night at which we were present sitting upon light wooden chairs in a market place eating ices at 9 o'clock at night'. Refers to new opera house at Trieste at which Braham now sings delightfully. 24 Mar 1801
Gell intends to set out soon for other side of Adriatic into Istria to see Pola. Has been within 2½ miles of French lines. Hopes to go up the Brenta canal. Has only £30 to last until June. While at Dresden saw `young Mr Stanhope and Mr Crawfurd' at the English envoy's: `Little Stanhope is a neat youth and a proper pickle. If you meet him ask him about it.'
Levelfile
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
Archive CreatorGell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
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Gell; Sir; William (1777-1836); Diplomat and antiquarian of Hopton.
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