Corpus of Modern Scottish Writing (CMSW) - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/cmsw/ Document : 203 Title: Letter from Smiles to Murray, 30 Mar 1859 Author(s): Smiles, Samuel Recd] Apl. 2/79. Smiles S Hotel Quirinal, Rome 30 March 1879 Statue of Self Help My Dear Sir Will you kindly direct a copy each of “The Scotch Naturalist” and “Robert Dick” to be sent by post to Prof: Scultor Rossetti Via Marguta Rome I brought these books with me intending to present them to the Sculptor — who, as you may know, has executed a very fine statue of "Self-Help" — a girl plaiting her hair, and with the book upon her knee, reading it while she is doing her dressing, & thus making the most of her time — but I have given one of them to Signora Cairoli, wife of the late prime minister, who translated “Character” into Italian ; and I have asked her to present the other to the Queen of Italy. I was introduced yesterday to Cairoli & his lady. You may remember that Cairoli in a measure saved the Kings life while riding through Naples a short time ago. He received me with great politeness , & gave me a hearty grasp of his hand. It is a misfortune for me not to speak Italian , but the Signora speaks English very well , and was able to interpret my conversation. It was then that she told me that she had translated “Character”, which, she said , had given her so much pleasure. She was pleased to say that I was the only living writer who devoted his time to elevating the people by pressing upon their consideration moral & social subjects , and that my books had been about the best read and were the most valued in Italy. Of course , this was a great gratification to me ; and it endorsed that [¿] article in the Quarterly — for which I cannot thank you & the author too much. I was a fortnight in Rome on my way south to Naples. I did not deliver my letters until my return ; and now I am almost overwhelmed with invitations. While at Naples , I saw Pompeii , went over to Sorrento , Capri &c ; went round the Bay of Baiæ , and greatly enjoyed the scenery & the ruins of Roman greatness. I returned here a week ago , and intend to stay another fortnight. I staid a week at the Europa , but found the accommodation bad , and the dinners half-cold , and [dear]. I removed here & found everything most comfortable. At Naples I staid at the Royal Hotel des Etrangers. It is entirely new , & a very fine hotel , close to the Washington. It has been removed from the place mentioned in the Guide-book , and that paragraph will have to be altered. With kindest regards to Mr Cooke , John the Third , & all at 50A , Believe me ever [Yours very] faithfully S Smiles J. Murray Esq