TALBOT2457

Abbotsbury Castle ¹
Saturday Nov^r 3^rd

My dear Henry

I was going to write to you at Markeaton, ² but as I hear in a roundabout way from Uncle John ³ that you are at Lacock, I will try sending a letter there. We came here Monday & found Aunt Harriet & Louisa – Lady Belmore Lord Corry & Juliana⁴ came the same day – & Uncle John arrived Tuesday – I have not been here for 7 years! You cannot think what an improvement Lady I. ⁵ has made on the terrace before the house – it is full of flowers which it was always supposed would not grow there – all sorts of charming geraniums, verbena &c & a fountain playing in the middle wind & weather permitting – It really makes a very nice walk, tho’ I always prefer running down to the beach & enjoying the waves, which have been very fine latterly – She is very proud too of her garden which I believe you have seen, & where she spends nearly all her time Lord B. ⁶ went to town with Uncle Harry ⁷ Monday & I suppose they will come back here soon & then Theresa & Caroline & Elbelle ⁸ are to come. I was very sorry to leave Melbury ⁹ – we were very happy & merry there particularly the last week. Aunt Harriet left us yesterday – she is a great loss. She did not get to Moreton ¹⁰ in one day but slept at Dorchester! I think Miss B. very much improved – I cannot help liking her – it is a great pity Lord C. should be so incorrigibly dull as we are destined to see so much of him they are going to Moreton at the same time we are. However they say qu’il faut prendre le tems comme il vient, l’argent pour ce qu’il vant et les hommes pour ce qu’ils sont ¹¹ & so adieu write me word where you ar[e]¹² going to bestow yourself

Your aff^te sis
Horatia

I hear charming accounts of Caroline, she is well enough to go to the play twice. Lady I. tells me you proposed coming here – I know she cannot hold you – suppose you propose yourself to Aunt H. who is just gone hence to receive Lady G. & Emily Murray ¹³ – perhaps she has room for you

if not there to be forwarded to London
W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham