TALBOT2936

4 Circus ¹
4^th November

My dear Papa,

I went to Vezey’s ² today and he says that it will take about a week or ten days to make the glass shutters to the Carriage, but he would not want to keep it all that time. If it came in one day to be measured he could let it go away again next day; so when you come you might drive in the carriage all the way if it was a fine and mild enough day, and send it home next day.

So your friend the Comte de Chambord ³ has lost his chance – you know I always prophesied it would end so, I am only so sorry you would not take a bet on the subject!

The prospectus does not say how soon the 1^st Vol. of “Records of the past” ⁴ is to be published – It cannot fail to be very interesting, & every project which tends to popularize these subjects deserves great encouragement: therefore I am very glad indeed you have contributed so much to it.

Our little garden is looking very green and cheerful for the time of year, we have had it put tidy, and the Chrysanthemums promise to make a fine show. I am going to make them some brown paper caps to put on at night and preserve them from the frost. The earth seems very good now, since M^r Drummond ⁵ put it to right last year, so I do not see why we should not rival Dean Cemetery in our Spring show! If you have any to spare among your new bulbs, you can send them here to try out of doors. I see the Tritileia Uniflora is coming up in 3 or 4 places.

M^r Fowler deplores the emptiness of the town, and says no one expects a good season. I suppose Bath has had too many excitements during the summer, and has now subsided.

Ibbley ⁶ writes to me this morning that she expects soon to hear of a butler likely to suit us. One unluckily was just snapped up before they had time to see him, and he was particularly well recommended.

I suppose Mama ⁷ keeps to her intention of coming early next week, but of course she will let us know her plans and your’s.

Ela ⁸ has not written here, but I suppose she will have enough of Weymouth at the end of 3 weeks.

Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond

I forgot to say that the carriage would have to be fitted when finished, so if not wanted at Lacock it would be less trouble to leave it here.

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham.