TALBOT1969

[this is written on the same sheet as a note from Lady Elisabeth - see ]

Laycock Abbey
Friday 5^th March

Carissimo Enrico ¹

Lacock is beginning to look very pretty just as we are going to leave it. There are loads of snowdrops & crocus, hepatica & primroses coming up everywhere. The cyclamen in the window has flowered beautifully & also the Tulipa præcox. We have had beautiful weather lately & taken very nice rides everyday [sic] on Strawberry. Kerry ² was very ill two or three days ago, but is better now – they expect Aunt Louisa at Bowood ³ to-morrow – & are to go Monday to Sidmouth. M^r Moore ⁴ arrived Wednesday – & is coming here to-day to dine & sleep – & I expect he will amuse us very much with all the London news.

I hear Charlotte ⁵ is to be married at Bath, I suppose as a compromise between Penrice ⁶ & London. If we had been at home at that time they could have come here for the fatal ceremony. Poor Uncle Harry & Kit ⁷ have had such dreadful colds they could not go out hunting once all this time. – I was glad to hear you plunged at once into the gaieties of London. have you sent out cards for the 18^th? I suppose Aunt Harriet ⁸ is arrived in town – I am delighted with the thoughts of seeing them all so unexpectedly. I hope Louisa ⁹ will be well enough to come to the ball. – They seem to get on very quick with the pulling down – the roof is already nearly taken away & the sun streams in at the gallery window as formerly – before it was built up. –

Addio fratel caro t’abbraccio – au revoir Lundi ¹⁰

ta sœur ¹¹
Horatie

I have sketched the two orchis pseudosambucina to please Uncle William. ¹² That pretty Cynoglossum omphaloides is in flower. FitzSimmons ¹³ says you wish that other orchis (I believe speculum) to be taken to London – do you want it us to bring it in the pot or gathered or will you be contented with a drawing if it flowers before we go? Caroline ¹⁴ wants you to answer her question about the pannel [sic] of the secret staircase – as we do not go till Tuesday there will be time.

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