TALBOT151

[this is written on the same sheet as a note from Horatia: ]

Genoa
Sunday 30^th Nov^r 1823

My Dearest

We have with our usual ill luck lit upon an English Merchant who has behaved like a Genoese! only think. We trusted him because he was English & therefore though it not necessary to have a written agreement & the consequence was our very near having no house at all. To day came a letter from Matilda ¹ dated 17^th November, in which She had heard nothing of you, at which we marvel much. I hope you will get a comfortable servant instead of Giovanni, ² tho’ I think he would soon have learnt to pay for you in English Money, it is so simple compared with the coins of the Continent & he would learn English quicker at Penrice & Melbury ³ than in Sackville Street. ⁴

Il Marchese Boijl ⁵ has begged to be admitted to pardon chez nous, ⁶ & professes himself profoundly ashamed of all the rude things M^rs B. ⁷ made him do. He says qu’il avoit perdu la tête but that now les années l’ont rendu sage, ⁸ being arrived at the great age of 3 & twenty.

God bless you Dearest
W H F Talbot Esq^r
31 Sackville Street
London