TALBOT2443

Markeaton ¹
August 17

My dear Henry

I cannot resist reminding you of the “preliminary page” or whatever it may be called which you promised us for the great Photographic Work –² because I hope you may come across it when you are writing & making preparations for your grand move to Edinburgh.³

2^do Would it be extremely presumptuous or indecorous or &c &c if I were to beg for one of your original Photographs in which there was a likeness of yourself – standing near a portion of the Abbey I think – because I should specially like one on many accounts? –

I wish you were coming here either en garçon or otherwise, but Constance ⁴ c^d not be persuaded to do so much to her Brother’s⁵ disappointment – I fear that Mlle Amélina ⁶ is a great impediment to sociability in the visiting way.

I hope you are better than when you came so kindly to see me in my dilapidated condition, tho’ I cannot suppose that the said visit could have done you as much good, as your most interesting & agreable [sic] conversation did to me – I feel too that I had such a narrow escape! for if you had not chanced to come that day I might have been ages without knowing of that curious transaction & translation of the Assyrian Inscriptions! I do not know where you may be, but of course this will reach you in due time – I suppose you are aware that M^r & M^rs Fox Strangways ⁷ are making a Tour in Switzerland.

Y^r Aff^te Cousin
H G^a Mundy

The garden is extremely gay, & scarcely affected by the tremendous thunder storms on thursday [sic] –