TALBOT2952

Dover
Thursday 17^th July

My Dear Henry

I scratch you due righe ¹ thinking you would like to hear of Horatia’s ² progress – We have been 4 days en route not to fatigue her, and she seems much better for change of air & the fine atmosphere all along those Sussex Cliffs, it made one feel quite light & airy – and she took a warm salt water Bath as soon as she got here, which has done her the greatest good. We do not intend embarking till Saturday, to give her time to rest. We came through a most beautiful Country all the way from Odiham to Maidstone, and particularly that part between Guildford & Ryegate [sic] is was quite lovely. We were disappointed at not finding a line from you here, amongst quantities of letters & parcels that were waiting for us. But perhaps your letter may have had the same fate as the one you sent the other day from London which arrived, strange to say, three days after it was finished. It was the one which contained a letter of business from Lydia ³ to Gwynne ⁴ & your orders to your menials of the Abbey, but which luckily did not signify as we had ordered the same for you before. We have been voracious for Newspapers all along the road, but find they contain nothing more than your Farnham letter. Your first letter ⁵ assuming the great news of the resignation ⁶ came 24 hours sooner than it was announced in the Times ⁷ & caused a great sensation – M^r Awdry ⁸ who was dining with us, could hardly eat for surprize & thinking it forboded no good to the Landed or any other interest. We found Lady Sandwich here just landed from France, with her little Granddaughter Louisa Valeska.⁹ I was glad to hear her say she intended spending the Winter at Nice – as an agreeable person she will be inestimable. Remember when you direct to Geneve to add la Suisse because otherwise it is very apt to go to Genova. We have had the finest weather possible the whole of our journey, not one shower of rain. We brought a native from Bowden Hill, ¹⁰ one of the Garde Malades ¹¹ who sat up with Horatia during her illness – She has officiated in the same capacity during the journey & been of great use. She is astounded at the sight of the Sea, & will recount wonderful stories of her travels on her return. We do not

I hope Constance ¹² found the abbey in beauty – Owing to Gale’s ¹³ being employed in the Workhouse the Wooden frame of the new window is not fitted to receive the glass. It is very provoking, but he implored M^r F. ¹⁴ to excuse him as he was under a contract to a day and was afraid of encurring [sic] the fine or forfeit. The Cushions are not come

I long to receive your first letter at Geneva, as it will contain your decision about coming to us – for though you had decided I know that when Politics are in the case all other things give place

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r M.P.
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts