The Englishwoman in Italy Impressions of life in the Roman states and Sardinia, during a ten years' residence

"The Englishwoman in Italy" by Mrs. G. Gretton is a travel memoir where the author recounts her decade-long stay in the Roman States and Sardinia, offering a rare glimpse into 19th-century Italian society. The story begins with her voyage from Florence to Ancona, where she shares her initial thoughts and the warm welcome from her uncle's family. She recounts the charm of traveling by carriage, the simple lodgings in the Apennine Mountains, and towns' gloomy vibe, emphasized by the social decline under Austrian control. Upon reaching Ancona, she is captivated by its scenic appeal yet grows conscious of the complicated social interactions that characterize its people, encompassing social expectations and proper etiquette. The story sets the stage for examining differences between the author's hopes and Italian life.