TALBOT2060

Laycock Abbey
23^rd September

My dear Henry

We are just returned from a visit to Compton Bassett where we went yesterday to dine & sleep I had never been there since the ball. The place looked very pretty particularly that magnificent avenue of beeches. M^r & Lady Caroline Maxse (a daughter of Lord Berkeley!) ¹ & two or three other people were there - I like M^rs Heneage ² very much - She had also asked you but we made your excuses.

Aunt Mary ³ came here Saturday & went away Monday. I thought her looking much better. They were going to Pentline in their way to Penrice ⁴ & talk of coming to Bath in the winter, & making us a longer visit then. Aunt Mary was charmed with the yellow Pinks & pink Gladiolus & took some Primula away with her to plant in her garden. She says we have a great many treasures that we neglect & do not seem to be aware of. Aunt Harriet ⁵ leaves town to-day to return to Moreton ⁶ - the wedding ⁷ is to take place the 4^th Oct^r - I received your nice long letter from Doncaster yesterday - it was a good idea of yours going to the Worcester music meeting & I am glad it turned out so amusing. I am exceedingly surprised to see that Priam has not won the S^t Leger ⁸ - is not everybody? There seem to be quantities of people there one knows so I hope you will find it gay but this weather must be wretched for races. - They are getting on very fast with the window - Mama ⁹ has long tête à têtes with M^r Strong ¹⁰ whenever he comes.

Mama has had a letter from Papa ¹¹ from Versailles - Lady Robert ¹² is setting off for Nice next week & he will come back about the 1^st of Oct^r. He went to Canteleu¹³ & saw the dear old gardener's wife who cried for joy on seeing him again. Addio caro ¹⁴ - write me word who you meet at Doncaster that I know, & all about it -

Your aff^te sister
Horatia

M^r Strong told Mama his whole history - she says it was quite romantic! You know sh[e] likes to talk to all sorts of people & hear their adventures - like William Bankes ¹⁵ -

C. received your letter with the description of Guy's Cliff.¹⁶

W. H. Fox Talbot Esq^re
Post Office
Doncaster
Lacock Abbey ¹⁷
Chippenham