TALBOT2247

Hanford ¹
Oct^r 27^th

Dear M^r Talbot,

Contrary to our expectations Harriet ² does not spend the winter with us – she has settled to go to the I. of Wight about the beginning of December – If therefore it should suit you to receive us towards the middle of that month shall we say Monday the 12^th to stay till the following Saturday? we shall be very happy to pay you our long talked of visit. Harriet is much obliged to yourself & Lady Elizabeth ³ for your kindness in extending your invitation to her altho she is prevented from availing herself of it – I little thought when I was pitying Harriot Mundy ⁴ for being present at the breaking of windows at Markeaton, ⁵ that I should so soon be a fellow sufferer – Grace ⁶ & I happened to be at L^d Digbys ⁷ when the mob attacked his House & broke a great many of his windows – We were playing a pool of commerce when we heard their shouts coming nearer & nearer & in a moment an attack made upon the windows in every direction, & upon the great door, which we every moment expected would have given way – fortunately it did not, & they went away after breaking most of the windows within their reach, to attack other houses in Sherborn [sic] to which they did still more damage than to L^d Digby’s.⁸ We had some little indication of what was preparing by being pelted with mud as we were driving away from a shop in Sherborne that morn^g, because we were in L^d Digby’s carriage, but this did not alarm us – & the attack of the mob took us all quite by surprise – Sir William & L^y Chatterton & M^rs Lascelles Iremonger ⁹ were the only people besides ourselves staying with L^d Digby – M^r Seymer ¹⁰ was at the Sessions but he joined us there when they were over, & staid on for a day or two for the chance of being useful as a Magistrate – This severe contest has done much mischief in this County & has occasioned a great deal of irritation & ill will –

We all unite in kind regards – believe me truly Yours
H^t Ker Seymer

H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham