Hotel Britannia
Roma
Via Quattro Fontane 149
December 28, 1917

Dear Marjorie:
As I have a few leisure moments this morning I will write you a page or two. As you will see by this letter I have arrived in Rome without mishap. I met the fellows here the day following their arrival being a day late myself. This is a different Rome that what we expected as far as climatic conditions are concerned. I was greeted by about 1 ½ inches of slush on the ground but was assured that it was not the usual thing. This it seems is the worst spell of weather experienced in about the last thirty years. It is very unfortunate that we should run into it but still the city is wonderful in itself. We have visited St. Peter's Cathedral, the largest in the world, it is magnificent, it would take weeks to describe it. Have also seen the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Catacombe. Arch of Constantine, statues, and ruins of ancient Rome too numerous to mention. We have also seen many places familiar in "Julius Caesar" such as the spot where Caesar was stabbed, the place where Anthony delivered his speech etc. It certainly is all worth seeing even if the weather is not at its best. Wish you were here to see it too. There are quite a few English people here so we are doing nothing in the afternoon but go to teas. We are to have tea this afternoon between 4 and 5 with a [ ? ] Her husband was an Italian general but has been killed, she is Canadian. A very strenuous life here indeed. We leave tonight for Naples, in order to see [ ? ] and ruins of Pompeii. Well I must close now. Write soon and remember me to all.

Yours very sincerely, Gordon