Letters from A.H. Haliday to H.T. Stainton 18 October 1862-21 January 1863

Letters from A.H. Haliday to H. T. Stainton 18 October 1862-21 January 1863

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H. T. Stainton

18 Oct. 1862 My dear Sir, Thanks for your letter which gave me much desirable information as well as the pleasant prospect of meeting you and Dr. Dohrn (at last) next spring. If you do come out to Rome it will go hard but I the meeting there and then we may see the Campagna of which Zeller [] absolutely refused to let me have his experience lest it should tempt me into danger in the hot season. I expect my brother (as well as some other relations will be out in Italy by the end of this month so that I have more inducement to prolong my own stay into the next year. I shall probably be encouraged to write to Dohrn meantime but to prevent my again rushing on ambiguities I will ask you to procure me through him Holmgren’s various Monographs of Swedish Ichneumonidae (Ophiones, Tryphones etc). I hope in about a month to have out here a few of my books for use. I have unfortunately lost some of the most interesting of my captures of the summer by the moisture of the air which has even marked my microscope fittings, steel implements etc in a way which 10 years would not have done in Dublin. But I have a few things which when collecting is over — and the October weather so far has been far from favourable — I have to examine, describe etc. A recent letter from Loew  removed all my inducements to take a flight to Vienna at this season — to meet him after the disappointment about a junction at Monte Rosa. Your account of the Ent. Soc. Is as favourable “as could be expected” seeing that a firm and settled peace cannot be guaranteed without some continued calm. I am sorry to see so many of the German entomologists are affected by this pugnacious spirit of the age — but this you know all about doubtless from Dohrn and Schaum. I got weary of getting only half of my English newspapers by post and waiting and paying for duplicates of the lost and missing — so stopped my subscription when I started for the Alps and since that my news has been nearly confirmed to a very rare peep into a newsroom at Lucca where no English paper is taken in — As to reports of rumours, here above all, I cannot believe a word I hear in Lucca. I have not stirred from home further than the weekly drive to and from the Bagni (16 miles from this) which now also will cease as the Chaplain returns to Pisa for the winter. I told you of my curtailed and unsatisfactory ride and walk in the [Umbrian-Marchean] Appenines. If the weather would settle at all I think of a visit next week to some of the caverns of the Apulia. There ought to be Spelaeophila in Italy also though one exploration was Yours very truly Alex. H. Haliday 8 Oct ‘62

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H. T. Stainton Dec. 22 1862 Monte Bonelli, Lucca Decr. 22/62

My Dear Sir, Thank you very much for your letter of 17th and the two enclosures which you were at pains to send me. I am glad at least you do not dismiss the prospect, to which you alluded before, of a visit to Italy, next Spring, though still with that human particle an if. I did not much expect to hear from you, in reply to mine (of no particular contents) of last Octr unless you had some pleasant account to give of peaceful prospects. Now I am afraid these are as remote as the hope of peace in N. America, while Abraham Lincoln is in place. It is a misfortune, that Entomologists, when the diffusion of scientific education has raised them above the place they held in public estimation when Kirby and Spence  published the Introduction (see preface) should make for themselves the character of being quarrelsome, especially, among all the sections of Naturalists. The shepherds description of a wasp in Noctes Ambrosianae might serve as a parable for E.S. The Wiener Ent. Monatschrift in like manner is far too much engrossed with personal piques and criticisms arising out of private enmities. Naturally I get Entoml. Periodicals, here, but scantily and occasionally. The last part of Stettin Ent. Zg. That I have, through Williams and N, are the 4 for 1862 (a bad illustration as they are the last yet out) — but the Berlin Zg. I have not recd beyond 1861. The winter is now well set in here but when I get over to Pisa I find only the outskirts of frost extending to the neighbourhood, the Lungarno bright and warm, and our friends at Livorno say the name of frost sounds strange to them. My brother has been laid up at Brighton and will have so much to occupy him in London before he can get under way, that I am obliged to give up the expectation of having him for a little shooting here, before moving into town. So we move after Xmas into Casa Massoni in Lucca. However I do not expect to be much in Lucca myself as I shall have attractions to Florence, when he does come; and then Naples and Rome succeed. Insect collecting is pretty well over for the present and instead I was on my perch [post] for an hour this morning with both barrels ready for hares, but it was so dry the scent did not lie, and the whole line of sportsmen in that time had not one shot among them. So I thought it would be pleasanter sitting by my study fire and on coming in, I found your letter and the Times awaiting me. Nevertheless it is not a week since Colias, Hipparchi, Vanessa, Polymmatus, Pterophorus, Xanthia and some Tineina were out, dragonflies hawking even over frozen pools, Locusts and Chrysopa, Hemerobius etc and Chrysomela americana and its larva to be found abroad on the Lavandula stoechas, now out in second bloom; while the spring flowers, janquils and pasque flowers, by the wayside are meeting the lingering flowers of Autumn. If the operation of moving and some other engagements leave me time I am tempted to take another flight up to Abetone, the pass on the Appenines into the Modenese to see what the fir and beech-woods are like in their greatcoat of snow which peeps so brilliantly over the lower range of the emiliano intervening there and Lucca. I seem to gather from Dr. Hagen’s letter that the Entomological Bibliography is as yet only in press and indeed I had supposed but another told me he had seen the second volume lately. I almost fancy he has confounded it with the two new volumes of Engelmann’s Zoological Bibliography which came out in 1860-1861. As I have noting to communicate I will not bore you with more writing about nothing. If the anniversary meeting turns out well perhaps you will think this sufficiently interesting to produce a line to tell me — meantime I conclude. Yours very faithfully, Alex. H. Haliday Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.T. Stainton 1st Jan 1863 1/1/63 My Dear Sir, As I had written in acknowledgement of yours of 17 with its two enclosures the day before the line came from you informing me of the returned letter I have thought it unnecessary to write instantly as I should otherwise have done as you promise me an intelligence of the safety of that treble one/the communication of the strayed one the contents of which I should be sorry to lose even at this interval. Its fate redirected as it was to St. Vincent, which was only a passing point, not even a halt, and not create misgiving as the others. As I was descending from the Joux  pass into the vale of  Aosta  and we came in sight of St. Vincent (nearly two hours later than it should have been, by of the wretched heart which was hastily furnished. In the morning when I found my legs would not start the days work) I suffered the mule to put down her head in pity of the state of gore she was in from attacks of horse-flies. She took advantage of this to lie down and I had to move sharply to avoid a crush. I then left her in the hands of the guide and presently the diligence by which I had intended proceeding to Aosta passed. However I caught it at the office in time to secure a seat and there were no letters then awaiting me and I gave the true direction for forwarding any that should come. Two did find their way to me at different intervals after my return having travelled first to [ ] but none were so long in abeyance as yours has been of which I had no augury to make me enquire for it. Some letters however each way did disappear entirely while I was at [ ] where there was only a walking post, three times a week but now perhaps even they may turn up someday. I hope before long you will be able to give the assurance and some notion of routes and dates of your visit to Rome etc. with Dohrn who refers to February for our probable meeting. If you take the western route by Piedmont rather than that by [Trieste], Lucca will not be out of your way to Florence to which there are two routes from Pisa and differing not much in length. I had intelligence, yesterday, which had it arrived a little sooner night have decided us on Florence for the four next months — but now we are settled in Lucca — i.e. as a centre, for I do not expect top be much there at least after January. We have had a fine bright Xmas day though with hard frost. The snowy girdle of the Apennines looked so bright and clear the day before that being alone this morning I set off on foot for a neighbouring hilltop which commands a fine panorama, but a mist which gradually appeared on the horizon and in the valley, as the sun got high altered my plans and I contented myself with a stroll observing what insects were out — very few, of these mostly Diptera, no butterflies, dragonflies or Locusts now — swarms of a little Haltica on the flax which is about a foot high. The next fortnight will be a critical time for the [vines] which so far make a fine show here though they have suffered in other parts: Twelfth night passed they are considered to be safe. I had written so far a good many days since awaiting a dispatch with a fascicle of other which had not all [gone] yet — A few days since I heard from my brother that he was only beginning to recover from an alarming attack he had in London after getting up [Miller] from Brighton with [ ] and which had prevented his being able to write for several days. This will naturally still further delay his setting out already so often [ ]. My cousin and I move into Lucca Cassa Massoni for the four opening months of the year 1863. As soon as two individuals at present confined to these rooms are well enough to face the air and change of apartment. The continued hard frosts had for a good while with a clear sunshine has yielded to thaw mist and showers of Italian profusion. When the horizon clears I suppose the distant mountains will show that they have had their share of water in the form of fresh layers of snow. Here meanwhile the latest bloom of the expiring year[ ] confronting the premature flowers of Anemone pulsatella in the wayside and the abundant show of early Jonquils (N. tazetta towit) and we flatter ourselves the remaining crop of olives which have been seasonably by the of moisture may tide over the turn of the year without injury and that the winter be short as by the end of February the blossoming of Erica scoparia on the hills begins to give an aspect of Spring to the vicinity of Lucca. Best wishes of the opening year to you — in hopes of a not distant meeting in the early part — believe me, Yours very sincerely Alexr H. haliday.

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.T. Stainton 6 Jan 1863 Casa Massoni Via del Pescata Lucca. My Dear Stainton, Your letter of 13th July 10-Jany has just come to hand. I can assure you that the details mentd past 7 were very interesting as I consider the prospect of the Society for which no man living has laboured as much as you have done do very much depend on your continued co-operation being regained for them. I hope therefore to have from you a more favourable report (after the anniversary which seems now to be the crisis) perhaps orally as the last accounts I have make it [likely] I shall have to proceed to England in the course of the current month — perhaps in a few days. In these circumstance I will not occupy your time with things which may have no result — or which I may have an opportunity of speaking about — I heard from T.V. Wollaston that you were to be with him on a visit in passing and hope to hear from you that he seems strong. His gardening passion may do no harm in diverting him from too close sitting at study — Only he takes it up so warmly that I think of his Snowdon experience and dread rheum which is so unkind to gardeners in our damp English climate — not so damp as this however — judging by the state of insect collection and metal fittings since I have been here. Believe me. Yours very faithfully, 6 Janry /63 A.H. Haliday

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.T. Stainton 15 Jan 1863 Casa Massoni, Lucca 15 Jany 1863 My dear Stainton, I am in hopes of hearing from you before I leave Lucca the result of the Anniversary Meeting and prospects of the ES and at the same time m9ore positive assurance of your journey to Italy, next month, being agreed on with Dohrn and some notion of route and times to facilitate meeting and cooperation here. If this has not proceeded however perhaps you will meet me by letter at Paris (poste restante) where at present I calculate on arriving in the beginning of February, as I am not likely to leave this till about 27th, travelling leisure and halting perhaps at Florence, Parma-Turin. Whether I go on the London remains to be settled. I am disposed to do so but time and other considerations make Paris the town from which to turn back with my expected company. I am so much occupied here meantime that I scarcely expect to find time to write to Dohrn in acknowledgement of his very kind letter. When you are writing to him assure him from me of the pleasure that the prospect of soon meeting him, at last — and on this side the Alps suggests. He was quite right in not encouraging me in regard to friend A. Forster. My second unanswered letter to the same is now of such distant date, as leaves me quite hopeless of a reply. But there may be sufficient reasons for his silence — In hope of a not distant meeting (in any sense) with both of you I am Very sincerely yours Alexr H. Haliday. Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.T. Stainton Casa Massoni, Lucca Jany 21/1863 21st Jan. 1863 My Dear Stainton, I am anxious that no contretemps should deprive me of the pleasure of meeting you and Dohrn if you pursue your plan of journey and therefore I will keep you informed of my own movements as far as I can calculate them lest letters addressed to Lucca should miss me and a like disappointment recur as with Loew last summer. I have told my brother to have letters awaiting me Poste restanta, Paris by 2nd February not that I am so sure of arriving there so early but I may. Of course when I reached London. Of course when I reach London I will inquire if you are still stationary. We have had great floods in Tuscany. The Lungarno at Pisa was all under water on Sunday night — the parapets of the upper bridge invisible. I had passed over the middle bridge returning from Livorno to Lucca about 5pm — all the population seemed to be out gazing at the Arno tumbling past in muddy mountains. Returning to Pisa before 9 next morning I found the river subsided below the line of the head walls which were crowded with sand-bags to strengthen defences — the bridge above parapets too strewed with waifs — the Lugarno still a chain of lakes with temporary wooden bridges on trestles for foot passengers. At Florence and along the middle course of Arno it is worse the Pontedera line of railway is underwater — one bridge of communication swept away and all traffic throw on Lucca line. More inconvenient for my plans which was feared and is now assured by the post mark of my letters returned from Bologna to Turin to come round by Massa, the Appenine road from Bologna to Pasloja is interrupted and probably will not be in working order for weeks — I had just settled with Rondani and Passerini  to stop at Parma on the way to see them — I hear too that the St. Gothard etc are impassable with snow. No specific mention of Mt Ceni and I have written to Bellardi to let me know the accounts of this at Turin, to determine me whether to go by Genoa or at once take the steamer from Livorno to Marseilles. I intend going for a few days to Florence as soon as I hear what days my friends name as convenient and there I shall get more intelligence than her where it is difficult to obtain any intelligence and that usually untrustworthy. My brothers progress towards recovery is so slow that there is noting to hurry me and I have friends to see at many places by the way going or returning — the latter may suit the early stages that will be requisite if poor Hogan consents to come with me — Turin, Lyon, Amiens, Lille, Aix la Chapelle and Crefeld for a detour all have attractions for me — Paris once approached the vortex is inevitable for some days and Sichel  expects me there. Bigot  writes from the bosom of fogs and gloom [ ] to congratulate me on enjoying the cloudless sky and balmy air of Italy. I know better! And for [shame] could not venture on the subject of meteorology in reply. This killing weather literally — everyone ill — the old and weakly falling fast. I have not yet quite [ ] and cannot shake off the oppression partly no doubt at the alarm and anxiety I had though not prolonged at its height — and I feel the jolting inconvenience of a journey will set me up better than anything stationary. Besides even if my brother were fit to travel alone — as he expects to be — but his Doctor does not say I am anxious to get A.R. Hogan out of the fit of mire he is plunged into at present by constitutional causes — and see him able to exert and enjoy himself again. The Sirocco has not yet shifted and there is no depending on the seeming improvement of weather till the wind comes round. The friend in Florence who I am going to see chiefly, is sending up wishes, from his bed, he were back at his rectory in Northamptonshire with the climate he left for that of Florence. Our friends, from Naples write the heat is not yet intolerable: they do not seem to be uneasy:- but through Italian sources I understand, matters there are becoming worse and worse! I know not why — unless it be the large levies by conscription from which the peasants are flying into the Roman states ; but there is a strong impression here of war in the Spring. Madness it would be, it seems, with [finances] so encumbered and civil war in a fourth part or more of the kingdom. Dr. Schiner  from his experience of Italy warns me not to miss the south; it would make a pretty vignette for travels in the Abruzzi, his adventure — while gazing entranced on the ruins or site of Horace’s villa , the unwelcome ‘hope I don’t intrude’ of a company of bandits. Now you know pretty much as I do myself my dates and time of travel you will not let me miss any chance of meeting or knowing where to find you and A. Dohrn. I have not written to him again and shall not have time now. I have otherwise been contributing so largely to the postal revenue of the Kingdom of Italy that the minister of finance in his difficulties should give me a deed. I am yours sincerely, Alex. H. Haliday