TALBOT2920

Sunday 15 June

My Dear Henry

We go tomorrow – direct to Eve’s Hôtel, Queen Square, Bath. Matilda ¹ is enchanted with Constance’s ² calling her Aunt, as you know she always claims you as her Nephew. It was a very pretty idea & I am glad it came into her head. She says Constance looked lovely in her yellow gown & French bonnet. – Why did Lord Elrington ³ bring forward a motion so evidently unpalatable to Lord Althorp ⁴ as the Spanish claimants? Et tu Brute? ⁵ Lord Althorp might have exclaimed. it was very odd from a friend to the administration.

James ⁶ begs for three days to settle his affairs, & will be with you in Sackville Street ⁷ on Saturday. He asked me how long you would be gone abroad, On on which I referred him to you. He wished to be at some sort of certainty as to whether it was likely to be two Months or four, which might make a difference to him, as to being so long out of place &c &c – I conclude of course he’s to be your upper servant, as it would not do to have him under the gassoon ⁸ Edward. ⁹

I am so sorry to leave this place no words can say – I have luxuriated in roses, strawberries & Haymaking – & all the natural perfumes. I may say with Eve “ Must I leave thee, Paradise? thus leave these happy Walks & shades, where I had hoped to spend, quiet though sad The respite of that day that must be mortal to us both. O flowers! My daily visitation, & my last at Even, which I bred up with tender hand From the first opening bud – How shall I part, how shall I breathe in other air, less pure ¹⁰ ” –

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r M.P.
31. Sackville Street
London