6th May 1837 Rome
[...] There is no place in Europe like Rome for the number of artists of different nations, there is no place where there is so much ambition of who shall produce the finest works – this concentration for fame keeps up the art and good taste. Here art is not a money making trade. You should make an effort to come here and we would go to the Vatican together. You would see Thorvaldsen the greatest sculptor since the ancient Greeks, his work full of grandeur would fill your mind with admiration. The old man’s most venerable look full of deep thought his long white hair profusely hanging down upon his broad shoulders his remarkable benevolence and generosity would also fill you with reverence. The other day I dined at a splendid dinner where he was, the lady of the house, who is a celebrated Spanish beauty, not young now, amused herself by leaving the old fellow in the drawing room after dinner taking him by the arm and calling him ‘Il mio caro Cavaliere’. He kissed her hand. She laughed and said, what a gallant Cavaliere! – she looked at me putting her hand on the stars which he had upon his breast and said when he comes to me he comes in all his splendour. [...]