TALBOT2801

Lacock Abbey
Feb 11^th Tuesday

My dear Henry

I am just come from the Greenhouse where I discovered a blossom upon the Persian Iris. – It is rather paler than last year but I think quite as sweet. – The Narcissus Odorus promises to expand tomorrow. – I observed that a few of the seeds had been watered; but the rest were left, as if FitzSimmons ¹ had begun & afterwards changed his mind. – It appeared to me that tomorrow would have been soon enough – but I shall go again to see whether it has been done. – Horatia ² is quite surprised that you should think it necessary to have them watered at all: her opinion is that they should not have a drop!

I gave your sovereign to Marchant ³ yesterday – he seemed highly pleased & made many tender enquiries after you. – M^lle Amélina ⁴ & I walked to Forest lane to see some sick people yesterday, and afterwards we reached the very summit of Bowden Hill! ⁵ attended by Morphine & Pompey. ⁶ –

I hope you will not catch cold in walking to or from the House, & if [illegible deletion] you should walk home at night, I hope you will tye [sic a silk handkerchief over your mouth, as you used to do last year. –

M^lle Amélina desires me to thank you for your information respecting the Grey Parrot. – She considers it a most tempting advertisement, but unfortunately the Grey species is the only one against which she is slightly prejudiced. – Ell me prie de vous faire ses amitiés, & de vous exprimer combien elle était fachée de ne pas vous avoir fait ses adieux, la veille de vôtre départ. ⁷ –

Will you frank the enclosed to my Mother ⁸ at Markeaton? ⁹ – it is in reply to the letter ¹⁰ you sent me this morning. – She tells me how the dispute between the master-manufacturers & their men first began. It was not on account of distress, but merely because one of the masters found fault with some work having been badly done. –

A letter from Lady Valletort ¹¹ this morning says that her Bimbo ¹² has bid adieu to his Nurse, and bears the privation very well. – I should think this must be a great comfort. –

Yr affectionate
Constance