French lessons at the Dogana and at Palazzo Vecchio

Wrote on my letter to Florence S. till 8 o’clock when I had b’fast – did my usual little washing and a little mending and at a little [before/after] 10, started off for the dogana or Custom House. Went away down to the Duomo and took train no. 19 and had a pleasant ride around the city and finally come to the dogana and had a curious interview with the official. He opened the box – looked at the white suit that I bought in San Jose 4 years ago – declared positively that it was new – and that I had paid what was right in duties. I showed him the bottom of the skirt and protested that it was old, antiquated, ancient, – then he pulled it around – finally said it was old and that I would get my money back in October. All this was in French – ye gods and little fishes.

Went to the tailor’s and he will charge me $3 for altering it. I tried it on and I am to go tomorrow morning again. Bought a lot of interesting postal cards to send home. Lay down a little while, then dressed and went with Mrs. Tanner to the Uffizi Gallery. Found it closed at 4 so as we would have only half an hour, we said we would not go in – so we went to Palazzo Vecchio and went all over it. A guide went around with us and spoke French so I had a French lesson. It was very interesting and instructive and the rooms of Cosimo II, Duke of the Medicis – 1556 – and his bride, Elinor, were both magnificent and interesting. We did not have time to go up the tower before closing time. We went to the Duomo and then to St. Michele and hunted about for Albion tea room* but it was closed so went in the Tornabuoni for tea. The whole afternoon was Mrs. Tanner’s treat to me. Ride to Palazzo Vecchio – tip to guide – and tea. After dinner, looked over and tied up 165 postals to send home.

*There is an Albion tea room mentioned “Italy, Handbook for Travellers: First Part, Northern Italy” by Karl Baedecker, 1906 (pg. 462) and in “Mediterranean Winter Resorts” by Eustace Alfred Reynolds-Ball, 1908 (pg. 215). It was located at 5, Via dei Vecchi.

Noise, Shopping, Sightseeing in the Rain

There was so much noise on the street that I did not sleep after 4:30. Finally at 6:30 I sat up and wrote a letter to Marion asking about Edith. Got dressed and went up to breakfast with Helen. Afterwards Helen went out and I unpacked my trunk. Lay down for a while after lunch and fell asleep. Finished my letter to Marion. Helen and I went out and did a lot of errands.

Paid Dr. Dunn 80 francs but did not see him, gave my new address at French Lemon & Co., bought the English self–taught book for Elena* and went to the 48 centime store to see what it was like and bought some writing paper. Afterwards bought some better at another shop.

Helen and I went to see the house that Dante was born in.



Then we walked along through the queer narrow streets to the Palazzo Vecchio and I went through the underground part.



It looked so like rain that we hurried along, but it began to rain and we were caught and had to take refuge near the arched Lungarno. The rain slackened after a while and we walked home. I lay down half and hour before dinner. After dinner, Helen came into my room and talked and read while I sewed the blue slipper tops I knit into the soles. Helen made me some malted milk.

It is just pouring this very minute.

*See entry for June 5