TALBOT1749

Laycock abbey
7^th December

My Dear Henry

I did not write because a Letter from Caroline ¹ to you having remained unanswered I thought it had fallen in to the hands of some other Talbot with which the world abounds, & therefore did not write till I knew more particularly where to direct. Kit ² remained here a fortnight & went up to town with M^r F. ³ who is going to Burley & Cottesmore & Middleton & will be away at least 3 weeks, if not more. We were surprized yesterday by a visit from George Dawson ⁴ about an hour before Dinner he stays till Tuesday. I wish you were here, he b heb is so agreeable. Kit seemed to like this place extremely & is determined to build a Tower to his new house & a large Hall like this, & above all things secret stair cases! Tell me some more about Brighton & some news to enliven us. If that is true about L^d John, ⁵ all I can say is she appears to have more judgment than he has, for indubitably they are very unsuited. all the Corrys ⁶ are again congregated at Melbury previous to their departure which takes place on the 10^th but how long they may be detained at Plymouth the winds only can tell.

aff^ly y^rs Dearest
ETF

They are going on with the terrace

W. H. Fox Talbot Esq^r
8. Devonshire Place
Brighton