TALBOT1751

L. Abbey
12^th December

My Dear Henry

I do not know whether you have given directions to the House maid in London not to forward your letters after a certain day to Brighton. The weather continuing open, I have planted quantities, but I fear you will soon begin to complain it is too muggy for you. The Terrace has assumed a form since I wrote last, & looks very well indeed, quite grandiose. The old paling you said should come away when there was a Porter, being then useless, is taken down and the improvement is immense [illegible] of the confined look it had it now resembles looking into a forest, & will of course still more in the summer. I have had a letter from Evans begging to have his bill paid, & as he is very poor & hard working, I wish you would pay it as you come through London, & we can look over the particulars when you come here. It is very right I believe, but if not he would alter anything there was a mistake about, when we go to town. It is £5 ″ 6 ″ 0, but its not worth while to make a Double Letter by sending you the bill as you can have it from himself. I am not sorry S[?] does not come down here, for it seems certain he would not have done for the country, however good in travelling. He did not behav[e]¹ well even in the short time he was [missing text] I suppose your new groom is to sleep ove[r] the stables, beds you know are scarce things in this house.

I have got Evans’s bill which came down in the box with your picture

Afft^ly
EF

The Lansdownes ² were to be in England the 15^th so you will probably find them in town

W.H. Fox Talbot Esq^r
31 Sackville Street
London
not to be forwarded