TALBOT2904

Laycock Abbey

1^st January 1837!

Salve Henrice! ¹

Precor vobis felicem annum. ² The Strangways vein is certainly as you say prevalent in every ramification of the family. I have repeatedly asked when the Penrice ³ party thought of coming this way, but tho’ they answer the letters they never answer the question. The weather is odious, even I never go out, at least I have not for the last five days. But the inside of the house is not cold considering the state of the atmosphere. Every fire & every stove are lit, & it is not a bit colder than other houses. But the clouds look big with more snow, & I guess we have a good deal more to go through yet. Caroline ⁴ takes advantage of the Bouche de Chaleur ⁵ under the Diningroom & is making an elaborate drawing of Sir William Sherington’s ⁶ room. They go to Wilton the 7^th to visit Lady Pembroke ⁷ I will desire her to let you know when they proceed to Melbury, ⁸ in case you think of meeting them there. L^d Ilchester ⁹ will be at home till the 29^th when he goes to Southampton to visit the Petrel in his way to the meeting of Parliament. Tomorrow Henry Fitzmaurice ¹⁰ comes of age, but there will be nothing done as Lady Kerry ¹¹ is still at Bowood ¹² and still in a state of the deepest affliction

aff^ly y^rs

EF

I wrote to you since I came home

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r
Sidmouth
Devonshire