TALBOT1169

Genoa.
23 Feb^y.

My dear Henry.

The snow on M^t Cenis stopped the Paris Mail & Post, so I am afraid this will hardly reach you at Paris – which however I am very anxious it should – as I wish you to bring Nicolle ¹ for me. Baptiste ² has been behaving very ill & I have been some days on the look out for another servant nothing therefore can be more opportune than his offer, & my only Fear is that he will have got a place before you receive this. Propose to him if you please the same Terms we agreed on at Nice, I conclude they will satisfy him particularly as he is not to have anything to do with the Kitchen – if he stands out for 100. F^cs more I will give it – of course you will examine his certificates since our acquaintance with him – If I do not keep him to replace Richard ³ – you might take him – but of this hereafter – Will you be so good as to send Giovanni ⁴ to Madame Vigogne au Pensionnat Quai de Billy N^o 14. près la Pompe à Feu de Chaillot ⁵, to ask for a packet of music & bring it with you – he must ask for it in my Name. Richards conduct is very vexatious – it is a most unpleasant sensation to be deceived by one known so long & trusted so much – I did receive your letters from Bowood & Abbotsbury ⁶, & answered them in a letter to London which I trust you rec^d before your departure – & to which indeed I have so little to add that I shall conclude –

God bless you Y^r Af^e
C.F.

I was delighted to hear from Auckland ⁷ an account of your popularity at Bowood –
Write me a line from Paris the moment you have seen Nicolle, that I may know if I am to continue my researches – Explain to Nicolle that it is not for a Job but a Permanency – as between us both it will be, if our expectations are answered as to his merits, [illegible deletion]

Mon^r William Henry Fox Talbot
Francia
Anglois
Poste restante
Paris