The small rooms, and deficiency of air resulting from them, make a long shutting up a more serious thing than I find it in Florence in our acres of apartment.
But it is easy to mend strength when only strength is to be mended, and I, for one, get strong again easily.

I only hope that the cold is not returning.

The air was sharp yesterday and is to-day; but it's February, and the spring is at the doors, and we may hope with reason....
What do you say of the peace as a final peace?
You are not at least vexed, as so many English are, that we can't fight a little for glory to reinstate our reputation.

You'll excuse that.

Still, I can't help feeling disappointed in the peace--chiefly, perhaps, because I hoped too much from the war.