TALBOT1947

Laycock Abbey

4^th January 1830

My dearest Henry

It sounded very melancholy not to have heard from any of us [illegible deletion] all the time you had been at Brighton; but since that, you must have received mine I sent you on New Year’s Day. What could possibly lead you to imagine I did not like Ballads? as I happen to be particularly fond of them.

Your Sir Edwin ¹ had de grands succès ² here, I wish you would always write down your poetical effusions for our benefit.–

If you have time I wish you would execute a commission for me. It is to buy half a doz. pr^s of strong shoes for poor people; the shop to get them from is 130 or 132 Jermyn S^t where they are very cheap.³ Let them be a large size for women, & as cheap as possible.

I hope you will not stay longer than Tuesday – we long for you

Y^r affectionate sister

Caroline –

Pray buy for me a pair of List Shoes ⁴ ten inches long. They must be all list as they are for walking on slippery ground & not have leather soles but list. Likewise 2 p^rs of the same an inch & half longer for y^r sisters. I sh^d think Franklins could execute these.⁵ Wednesday we go to Bowood ⁶ for one night, if you come down that evening in time for dinner you had better meet us there instead of coming on here.

Mama ⁷ begs you will answer by return of post & let her know whether you will meet us at Bowood or not.–

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r–
31 Sackville Street
Piccadilly
London