Photocopy of letter. Written from Rome.
Explains that she has spent three months at the hotel, two of which she has been ill or very weak; but she hopes in Apr to move slowly northward. Very pleased by a visit from Mrs Wickham (Mrs Gladstone's eldest daughter). She told her of her father's retirement. She found her gentle and unaffected and one who spoke so lovingly of her work. 'They feel the tremendous bitterness which such a large section of society feel against him [Gladstone] and will feel long after he is in his grave'. During her illness Stuart had been very kind sending her money to meet the heavy expense of her illness. She had two nurses for four weeks, the doctor three times a day, and a chemist's bill for £15. George Meuricoffre (Josephine's nephew, son of Harriet) had been to visit her and spent the whole of last Sunday with her. He lives in Terni, a two and a half hours train journey from Rome.