Letter from Smiles to Murray, 30 Mar 1859

Author(s): Smiles, Samuel

Recd]
Apl. 2/79.


Smiles S



Hotel Quirinal, Rome

30 March 1879



Statue of Self Help



My Dear Sir


Will you kindly direct a copy
each of “The Scotch Naturalist” and
“Robert Dick” to be sent by post to
Prof: Scultor Rossetti
Via Marguta
Rome



I brought these books with me
intending to present them to the Sculptor —
who, as you may know, has executed
a very fine statue of "Self-Help" —
a girl plaiting her hair, and with the
book upon her knee, reading it while
she is doing her dressing, & thus making
the most of her time — but I have
given one of them to Signora Cairoli,
wife of the late prime minister, who
translated “Character” into Italian ;






and I have asked her to present the
other to the Queen of Italy. I was
introduced yesterday to Cairoli &
his lady. You may remember
that Cairoli in a measure saved
the Kings life while riding through
Naples a short time ago. He received
me with great politeness , & gave
me a hearty grasp of his hand.
It is a misfortune for me not to
speak Italian , but the Signora speaks
English very well , and was able
to interpret my conversation. It
was then that she told me that
she had translated “Character”,
which, she said , had given her
so much pleasure. She was pleased
to say that I was the only living
writer who devoted his time to





elevating the people by pressing upon
their consideration moral & social
subjects , and that my books had
been about the best read and
were the most valued in Italy.
Of course , this was a great gratification
to me ; and it endorsed that [¿]
article in the Quarterly — for which I
cannot thank you & the author too
much.


I was a fortnight in Rome on
my way south to Naples. I did
not deliver my letters until my
return ; and now I am almost
overwhelmed with invitations. While
at Naples , I saw Pompeii , went
over to Sorrento , Capri &c ; went
round the Bay of Baiæ , and greatly
enjoyed the scenery & the ruins of





Roman greatness. I returned here
a week ago , and intend to stay
another fortnight.


I staid a week at the Europa ,
but found the accommodation bad , and
the dinners half-cold , and [dear].
I removed here & found everything most
comfortable. At Naples I staid at the
Royal Hotel des Etrangers. It is entirely
new , & a very fine hotel , close to the
Washington. It has been removed
from the place mentioned in the Guide-book
, and that paragraph will have
to be altered.


With kindest regards to Mr
Cooke , John the Third , & all at
50A , Believe me ever

[Yours very] faithfully

S Smiles

J. Murray Esq

Letter from Smiles to Murray, 30 Mar 1859

Document Information

Document ID	203
Title	Letter from Smiles to Murray, 30 Mar 1859
Year group	1850-1900
Genre	Personal writing
Year of publication	1859
Place of publication	Rome, Italy
Wordcount	453

Author information: Smiles, Samuel

Author ID	59
Forenames	Samuel
Surname	Smiles
Gender	Male
Year of birth	1822
Place of birth	Haddington, Scotland
Mother's place of birth	Dalkeith, Scotland
Father's place of birth	Haddington, Scotland
Occupation	Author, physician, editor, secretary
Education	University
Locations where resident	England, Haddington, Edinburgh, Londno