TALBOT1155

Bowood ¹
January 25^th 1824

I left Penrice ² on Caroline's ³ birthday, about 10 o'clock at night and arrived here next day in good time for dinner, which is the best way of travelling - There is nobody here, on the 28^th the Lansdownes ⁴ go to Middleton & I go to Melbury ⁵ for a week - You say you did not hear from me at Melbury, although I wrote - From Melbury after a week's stay I mean to go thro' Town to Burley ⁶ for another week, then to Town for a fortnight & then to Genoa where I calculate on arriving about the middle of March. - Three weeks or a month after me you will probably have a visit from John & Christopher, ⁷ who are going, John to make a tour to Naples with a M^r Baillie whom he meets at Genoa, & Kit as I hope to accompany us in our homeward movements to Venice, &c. so far at least as will bring him back to Penrice a month or six weeks after his birthday, which for various reasons he wishes to avoid spending in Wales - He is averse to having any grand rejoicings on his coming of age. - I am in great hopes that this scheme will take place; for I am anxious you should be better acquainted with him which you have had no opportunity of being, since he was a child - the more you know him the more you will like him; it is impossible that fine property could come into better hands, as he is very liberal, tho quite averse to any sort of extravagance & dissipation - He and Sir Christopher ⁸ are on the most comfortable & friendly terms - It is arranged that Sir C. is to reside at Penrice, and to come in for the County once more at least. You seem surprized I should say Kit has great talents; - that is my opinion at least. - I think him for instance equal to William, ⁹ tho' as unlike him as possible - Charry's ¹⁰ health is improving but very slowly, she is tormented with toothaches, whenever she is well she is most lively & agreeable - Mary's ¹¹ chief delight is in the care of the schools at Penrice Oxwich, Reynoldston & Port Eynon; and in Geology. She is not fond of Music, drawing, or languages - Isabella's ¹² turn is for music, she cut her hand unfortunately a year ago which has prevented her from playing the harp ever since - She I think would be glad of more society than the neighbourhood of Penrice affords - Kit has is of opinion that his neighours in general are dull fellows (& he is not far wrong) and therefore he seldom goes near them, except on hunting & shooting parties. Chary draws beautifully and has taught Emma to draw almost as well - Emma ¹³ is fond of German which she understands very well, & Italian - She has the gentlest manners I ever saw, except Horatia ¹⁴ - I think it pity & misfortune she should lead at Penrice so secluded a life, without any models to form herself - A winter at Rome would do her a world of good; but they all exclaim against leaving Penrice, Sir C. excepted who is [text missing] ¹⁵ to go (County business permitting) It is however my Aunt ¹⁶ & Mary who really oppose them[selves] to moving. Emma ¹⁷ sends by me two drawings of Penrice, one to Car. & the other to Horatia. - Tell Caroline I hope she is learning to sing (& Horatia too) I am going to bring out with me the Irish Melodies my favourite music, which I hope will on your piano with Rossini ¹⁸ "divided empire hold." ¹⁹ - Montgomerie's ²⁰ drawing of the natural pillars at Botzen ²¹ has been thought very curious by many people whom I shewed it to, & several copies have been made of it - Tell him his name has not been balloted for at the Travellers yet. - I am glad you like Baron de Zach, ²² which I did not altogether expect.

Your aff^te Son
H. Talbot

Miladi
Miladi Feilding
Dame Angloise
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Italie