TALBOT2051

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

Laycock Abbey
10^th September

My dear Henry

We are very much surprised you have not written to any of us, as you have been gone nearly a week. – I suppose you imagined we were at Salisbury, where we did not go after all; Papa ¹ staid with us instead till Thursday morning, when he set off in a miserable drizzling rain.

Aunt Harriot ² has put off coming here till Monday or Tuesday, which disappointed us extremely, though I own I did not think it in the nature of things she should come the day she intended, if she had she would not have been a true Strangways

M^r Strong ³ came today at last. He says it is impossible to put the fireplace in the gallery where you intended. The space is one foot too short. He strongly advises it to be put in the angle, as suitable to the character of the house, & as you don’t like to have it on the north side, (because of being too far from the light) he says that is the only place for it, & he is sure of making a job of it that will please you.

We all think it will be better there, & not only better, but remarkably pleasant, because we can sit by the fire & have light at the same time. Tomorrow there is no post, so I thought it better to write to you to-day, because he seems to have no thoughts of doing so himself. He told Mamma ⁴ he had not time to write letters, & that if he kept clerks he should be obliged to charge his customers higher. He says he makes his own drawings & does everything himself, which enables him to work cheaper for his employers. Pray write us some news to enliven our solitude

& believe me your very affectionate Sister
Caroline

M^r Strong is to come here again as soon as he returns from the Grange, where he is making two fountains for M^r Baring. –

W. H. Fox Talbot Esq^re
Post Office
Leamington
Warwickshire
Worcester ⁵