In concluding my letter to you rather hastily yesterday, I entirely forgot to advert to your inquiry respecting the state of the roads in Italy. It is quite true that Lord and Lady Holland prolonged their stay a little at Geneva, in consequence of what they heard concerning the avalanches of the Simplon, and the banditti of the Mont Cenis. But her ladyship is easily alarmed, and slight rumours would be sufficient to produce inquiry and investigation. The result was that, after a few days’ delay, they set out by way of the Simplon, and arrived at Milan on the 4th. They write in good spirits, and appear to have had a most prosperous journey, and, as they meant to, set out in a few days for Florence.
Mackintosh, from whom I have lately heard, has crossed the Alps twice, having returned by the Simplon, and speaks with great admiration of that magnificent road. Horner, who has been at Milan, went by the Simplon and returned by Mont Cenis, and I have not heard of his experiencing any difficulty or inconvenience.
