Davanzati Palace, San Croce Church

I rang for breakfast at 8 and hot water at 9 or so. Mme. Crocini came in herself and was very pleasant. Studied my Italian and did not get dressed until late.

After lunch Helen took me to meet Florence at the Palace Davanzati. As we entered the elevator, Herbert Houghton stepped out. Said he was traveling with his friends and would stay a week. We were late meeting Florence and she was quite annoyed, but we went into the palace, Florence paying all expenses. Helen wouldn’t go, had been twice before. I think it is one of the most wonderful places I have seen. It is an old Florentine Palace fitted up in the manner in which they used to live in the 13th, 14th, & 15th centuries and all the furniture, tapestries, vases, dishes and ornaments are of those periods. The first floor belonged to the parents, then the second to the oldest son, the third floor to the second and each became simpler and plainer as you went up. I spent over two hours looking with the greatest interest and only left because the time for closing had arrived.

Then Florence took me down and we had ice-cream. She had invited the Bertolinis and the Gragginis to tea tomorrow so we went around and bought cakes re. Then she went back, but I went into the church of San Croce to see the procession of children. There were many in the church. I got a seat at the side but not in front of the altar.



I watched them light up the big chandeliers, holding 3 or 4 dozen candles. 37 of them. The church finally filled and the interesting procession began. A few hundred horsemen and a priest of fairly high rank, 4 very tall candlesticks, some little boys in white with red sashes, some little girls in white with red sashes and white veils and then multitudes of children holding a lighted candle or a spray of Easter lilies or both together with the parents leading out - holding their tiny infants sometimes. It was most interesting. They marched all the way around the church and then returned to the altar in the center of the church where the service went on and then the people began to go out and Helen and I left. We didn’t get home till after 8, could only eat soup and toast and milk, ought not to have eaten at all, as I was very, very tired.

Found letters from Margaret and Alfred. Alfred sent me $110, $50 being gift from Marion. He wants me to travel and will send me $100 more for that purpose. I wrote to them thanking them for his great kindness. Did not finish it. Had dyspepsia badly. Margaret is not at all well. She has been overworking. Had a request for back dues for Pacific Grove Museum*.

*Near Monterey, CA.