TALBOT1694

L. Abbey
Sunday 3^d August

My Dear Henry

We arrived here at 5 this Morning after a very prosperous journey except that the traces broke twice which caused some delay. The Moon rose soon after we left Newbury, & it was day light almost when we got to Marlborough. It has poured all day to day & I believe in such a Summer London is the best place after all. However I am glad to think we shall do you some good by being here, Which is the only pleasure your absence is susceptible of. I am sure M^r F. ¹ will quicken Redding’s ² motions, & as Franklin ³ says the eye of the Master does more than the hands of the servants. He will be after them early & late, & I do hope to live to see Redding out which I once despaired of. I see you have traced the line in front of the house (for the haha) quite straight the whole way, now I think a projection exactly like the old one which now exists, would be much more graceful. I always thought so but forgot to mention it, besides I was not till now aware that the ditch & wall were such a serious expence they could not be altered when once done. Another thing I must say is that the enclosure will be unnecessarily wide, & make the Garden too large I think it will be wider than the Italian gardens at Bowood. ⁴ I only wish nothing irremediable to be done in your absence. This is what I mean [illustration] I think it makes a pretty break & the other looks heavy by comparison. Besides one advantage Y will come into the present ditch & save digging that part. before talking to M^r F. I find that part Y was not meant to be redug. Pray write very very often, for you have everything to tell us, & we have little in return to tell you. We have just settled to give up Cowes, perhaps we may go to Blandford races. Tell Gwynne ⁵ to bring me Toothpicks, pins, thin biscuits, plenty of wire riband of all colors, & a certain bottle of Gum, which is on your Chimney piece which has been entamé, ⁶ & must be well packed. I wish you would go to [Sowns?] near the top of Bond Street & buy me another bottle of the said Gum, price two shillings, & send it down by her.

God bless you Dearest ever dear. I shall be unhappy if I do not hear from you very often

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r
31 Sackville Street
London