TALBOT2855

Lacock Abbey
March 18 –

My dear Henry

Strange as it may appear I have actually seen & embraced my Father, ¹ Mother ² & Sisters! ³ They were here a little before 12 & staid about an hour. – Unluckily the sun disappeared just at that time, though the morning had been uncommonly bright & the afternoon turned out equally so. – However they had scarcely time to look about at anything, as they wished to reach Moreton ⁴ before late, & my Father accordingly was in his usual bustle. – I just took my Sisters into the Cloisters, & Nuns’ kitchen, etc; for fear anything should prevent their paying the long-talked-of visit at Easter. – Emily was properly delighted as you may imagine. – They enquired tenderly after you & my Mother said she had heard from you the other day. –

As I hope you will agree to Lady Elisabeth’s ⁵ proposal of coming on Friday I think it is time to give you my commissions. –

I wish you, or rather Edward, ⁶ to buy for me at Truefill’s, 20 Burlington Arcade, a little pot of Bear’s-grease. – M^lle Amélina ⁷ has also a little commission for Edward which the enclosed note will explain. – I should be extremely obliged to you to bring my little parasol when you come. – Fanny ⁸ will find it in the Drawer in Horatia’s ⁹ room where I left some things. – It is the small one lined with green, that I want, not the large one. – If Fanny does not find it where I mention, I must have put it away somewhere else, & in that case I know she will not be able to get at it. – If Lady Cærnarvon ¹⁰ should have brought M^lle Amelina’s parasol which was left at Nice pray bring it as well as mine. –

Fitzsimmons ¹¹ has been greatly alarmed at the 2 or 3 frosty nights we have had. – All the fruit trees are dressed in green & present a most singular appearance. – They look like rare things from New Holland, ¹² where the trees grow in such a strange way. – Till we meet, (if I find nothing particular to say tomorrow)

believe me your affectionate
Constance. –

My second drawing in pencil shading is a great improvement upon the first, & encourages me to proceed. – The next I expect will be worth looking at. –