TALBOT2939

Laycock abbey
10^th July

My Dear Henry

Our only reason for not letting you know our plans was that we did not know them ourselves. It was only late the Night before I wrote that Horatia ¹ was persuaded to consent with a good grace to the Dover scheme her heart was set upon Havre & Cantileu for which last I too have a sentiment. But really with this doubtful weather added to all the other risks of a long passage, it would have been foolish to persist in it. I am very much obliged to Constance ² for wishing to come & see me at les Delices ³ but should really be very sorry if she sacrificed her Summer. However I accept her amiable proposal, if she does not repent of it when the time comes. But I believe neither she nor I will have to decide upon this, but circumstances for a new administration will probably entail a dissolution of parliament, & then if your Constituents are inconstant you will be quite at liberty to come & stay abroad as long as you like, as some good comes out of evil. I don’t know what things you particularly mean, but you will find everything here except Plate & Linen, all ours (except what is in London) go with us in the Fourgon. Therefore you must bring Knives, forks & spoons for yourselves (but not for your Servants, they are here.) You need not bring tea pots or Coffee pots – They are likewise here. Wright says you will find Lamps & common candlesticks in plenty here. If you have anything to say on these domestic subjects, write by return of post, as we shall not go very early on Saturday because Horatia cannot get up after her indifferent nights. How much I should like to have heard Lord Grey’s ⁴ parting speech – it must have been very interesting & very touching I think. It is a most critical state of things. I hope something will be settled before we leave England or it would be a cruel moment to depart in ignorance of all thats happening, for those at least who are at all troubled with the amor patriæ.

aff^ly y^rs
EF

Caroline’s ⁵ account with Stillwell is in Sackville St ⁶ we must take it to her somehow, and if it is too large to be enclosed by you, it must come down here as a parcel – pray dont forget. Stillwell wrote to M^r F. ⁷ he would send it to Sackville S^t July 5^th

Harriet Gallwey ⁸ has written to be lent the house in Sackville Street for a week in October, 3 times she has bothered us about it, at last M^r F. has consented if you are not in it, but said a Dissolution of parliament made it uncertain whether you might not be there at that time

Henry Fox Talbot Esqe M.P.
31. Sackville Street
London