LEAR WRITING FROM CALCUTTA WHICH MIGHT “BE CALLED HUSSLEFUSSABAD” DESCRIBING THE COAST AROUND SANREMO LEAR (Edward, 1812-1888, Nonsense Writer & Artist)

Fine Long Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent saying that he had “intended to have written earlier the few notes I now send you concerning the Riviera di Ponente, where you said it was probable that you & Mrs Clare Bayly might be in March or April next - but you will I daresay understand how little leisure a visitor has in a visit to this place, the name of which might I think very properly be changed to Husslefussabad - I must also apologise for mistakes & bad writing - eyesight being in a bad plight, & almost useless by Candlelight. I cannot point out to you too forcibly that the greatest mistake made as to the climate of the Genoa coast in March & April: it is notorious that at Nice & Cannes the very worst & coldest winds occur about the Equinox, & though Sanremo is a more sheltered place than those, yet we suffer there also at that time. I would strongly recommend your staying till April is far advanced... at Cairo or Alexandria, or, if you please, rather stop at Brindisi, & go over to Corfu where there are good hotels and beautiful scenery. Naples in March is little better than our Riviera, if as good. If however you resolve to come on westward Nervi is a sheltered spot only an hour or so East of Genoa... West of Genoa is Pegli - which is more interesting than Nervi... from Pegli, westward, there is no sheltered place till you get to Sanremo... Should you come to Sanremo, I recommend the Hotel de Londres (Signori Bogge) as one where you are sure to be comfortable. The Proprietors quite understand English ways & are very obliging. The Hotel is next to my own villa & garden, & if you mention my name it will give the brothers Bogge pleasure. The Vice Consul of Genoa, Mr Walter Congreve is also a gt friend of mine, & would I know tell you anything about the place, as would M. Bartolomeo Asquasciate, the Banker. As I have known the whole coast for many years, I have no hesitation in saying that Sanremo is out and out the most sheltered place in it - wh. indeed its vegetation & its position would at once show you - the one big hill behind the town shutting out all winds... The old city is interesting enough but I must also add that Sanremo is absolutely dull & without amusement & that when you have driven to Ceriana, Dolceaqua, Taggia & Ventimiglia & have gone on Donkeys to SanRomolo - you have done all that is to be done. (2 Indian families have lately settled there - one is Lady Wedderbury (a cousin of Mr Hope’s ADC here,) whom you may possibly know.). Next to Sanremo is Mentone - wh. may be said to be 2 places - the West side is draughty & chilly - the East too shut up & with too little Circulation of air when warm weather begins, but Mentone is unquestionably a far more beautiful place... After that is Nice, which to my fancy is odious at all times... between the 2 last places is Monaco - a most sheltered & beautiful spot - but if I had a family of ladies I should not care to take them there... as the Gambling house has not improved the society. Lastly there is Cannes - which is perhaps more beautiful than any part of the S. Coast - but it is very windy & dusty... & to me altogether uncomfortable. The gt. want of Sanremo its bad beach - or rather no beach. But I must end as I began by saying that I believe a delicate invalide had far better stay at Cairo or Corfu till England becomes habitable...”, 4 sides 4to., Government House, Calcutta, 8th January

As an author, Lear is known principally for his popular nonsense collections of poems, songs, short stories, botanical drawings, recipes and alphabets. He also composed and published twelve musical settings of Tennyson's poetry. Among other travels, Lear visited Greece and Egypt during 1848–49, and toured India during 1873–75, including a brief detour to Ceylon. While travelling he produced large quantities of coloured wash drawings in a distinctive style, which he converted later in his studio into oil and watercolour paintings, as well as prints for his books.
The Riviera di Ponente is a coastal area of north-western Italy in the region of Liguria. It covers the area between the city of Genoa, the regional capital to the east, and the French international border, close to the town of Ventimiglia to the west.

Item Date:  1874

Stock No:  42483      £2750

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