Letters from the Right Honourable Lady Mary Wortley Montague written during her Travels in Europe, Asia and Africa

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1811 Excerpt: ... town, which indeed is not worth a very particular description; and I have not respect enough for the holy handkerchief, to speak long of it. The churches are handsome, and so is the King's palace; hut I have lately seen nucli perfection of architecture, I did not give much of my attention to these pieces. The town itself is fairly huilt, situated in a line plain on the hanks of the Po. At a little distance from it, we saw the palaces of La Venerie, and L Valentin, hoth very agreeahle retreats. We were lodged in the Piazza Royale, which is one of the nohlest squares I ever saw, with a fine portico of white stone quite round it. We were immediately visited hy the Chevalier, whom you knew in England, who with great civility, hegged to introduce us at court, which is now kept at Rivoli, ahout a league from Turin. I went thither yesterday, and had the honour of waiting on the Queen, heing presented to her hy her first lady of honour. I found her Majesty in a magnificent apartment, with a train (f handsome ladies all dressed in gowns, amongst which it was easy to distinguish the fair princess of Carignan. The Queen entertained mc with a world of sweetness and affahility, and seemed mistress of a great share of.good sense. She did not forget to put me in mind of her English hlood; and added, that 6he always felt in herself a particular inclination to love the English. 1 returned her civility, hy giving her tlie title of Majesty H often a« 1 conld, which 'perhaps she will not have the comfort of hearing many months longer.--The King has a great deal of vivacity in his eyes; and the young Prince of Piedmont is H very handsome young man; hut the great devotion which this court is at present fallen mto, does not permit any of those entertainments proper for his a...