TALBOT2324

London
Tuesday

My dear Henry

We tried your experiments of sympathetic ink by the fire – the black one came out directly very black & has remained ever since. The blue appeared by degrees & got very bright it has since nearly vanished but not entirely. How came you to discover it? M^r Twopenny ¹ has just sent me the impression of a beautiful head of Omphale ² which he shewed us at Laycock & two other curious old seals for the museum which I will take with me & shew you. I liked the party at Lansdowne House ³ better than the last – Lord V. ⁴ was in the House, so Car. ⁵ went with us, in her new pink sattin gown, & a black velvet hat & feathers, which was universally admired –

Amandier ⁶ set off this morning with M^elle de Longchamp. ⁷ – Mama ⁸ got a letter for her from M^r Tellier, the Secretaire d’Ambassade ⁹ who sings so well, to the Directeur des Douanes ¹⁰ at Calais, which will I hope be of great use to her.

Papa’s ¹¹ foot is a very little better to day – I suppose we shall be able to go Saturday – I begin to sigh for fresh air.

Y^rs aff^te
Horatia

Tell Fitzsimmons ¹² that no more Baskets should be sent. This looks like fixity so do not forget. We hear that William ¹³ has written a pamphlet on our Foreign Relations, which does him credit, but is not to have his name to it because from his position it is not supposed he ought to tell what he knows, tho’ nobody can tell it so well as he who does know. But there are so many diplomatic delicacies that it is kept a professed secret at the Foreign Office who is the author. I am afraid the Duchesse de Dino ¹⁴ will put off her Ball, on account of the Princess Louise whose death is hourly expected.

[envelope:]
Henry Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham