TALBOT1748

Laycock Abbey
Dec^r 2^nd

My Dear Henry

I am very much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken about my vignettes; I have heard nothing more of them since, as M^r Moore ¹ has never answered Mama’s ² letter, & as M^r Power has not sent me any proofs, I cannot correct them. Since you went I have discovered scratched on the chimney-piece in the stone gallery, Edward Crue 1646. This & the bases of the pillars in the Chapter house are the only discoveries that have been made. We frightened Kit ³ the other evening, by sending William ⁴ to make horrid groans in the secret staircase, for which occupation he is peculiarly adapted, having been turned away from his last situation for exercising too freely his talent in that line – Kit was completely taken in at first, but afterwards imagined they were cats; however he never suspected the truth, though we have shewn him the staircase since. Mama longs to hear from you; & to know how you like Brighton. I suppose by this time you have made acquaintances with the Duchess of S^t Albans; ⁵ how do you like her?

M^r Bowles ⁶ has sent Mama his new poem called Days departed, or Banwell-hill, a tale of the Severn-Sea. ⁷ There is a great deal against the Saints in the preface. Pray write to some of us soon, as we have only heard once,

& believe me your affectionate Sister
Caroline –

Mama wishes you would send your direction, as she cannot write to you for want of it –

W.H. Fox Talbot Esq^r –
Devonshire
Post Office
Brighton
Sussex