TALBOT2034

London
July 31^st

Enrico carissimo ¹

Our departure is put off once more to the 5^th as Papa ² intends staying for the Levee ³ on Wednesday, his new uniform not having been made in time for the others. The news from Paris today is very confused & uncertain I hope it is not true 1000 people were killed ⁴ in the streets. Some people are setting off to Paris to see the fun – I am dying to know how it will all end, but I am afraid it will be very difficult to get any clear account of what is going on, as the newspapers are suppressed & all letters opened.

The season has ended with more spirit than it began – This week has been particularly gay – Monday there was a bal paré ⁵ at Apsley house in honor of the King of Wurtemberg ⁶ – Tuesday a breakfast at Perey’s Cross for children, very pretty indeed – Thursday a ball at Lady Keith’s – & yesterday one at Lord Hertford’s, ⁷ who for once had a beautiful night for it – all the garden was lit with colored lamps & exceedingly pretty.

Today we are going to a fête on board the Nautilus at Greenwich – which will I suppose be positively the last thing given this year. The weather has been oppressively hot for this week here – I t hope it will not change before we get to Laycock – it will be delicious to drink tea in the garden. I was much surprised to hear of Susan’s ⁸ marriage. – Eliza Hunloke ⁹ is delighted at the revolution in France, as she thinks they will be obliged to stay here, but Lady H. ¹⁰ is very uneasy for fear her cottage at Meudon should be confiscated.

Addio fratello caro ¹¹ –

your aff^te sister
Horatia

Have you received a letter from Mama ¹² franked by Lord Lansdowne ¹³ & enclosing 2 three-cornered notes?

I think ¹⁴ we shall really be at Laycock the Night of this Thursday 5^th

Henry Fox Talbot Esq