TALBOT3006

Xmas day
9 Victoria Terrace

My dear Henry

We send you the best wishes of the festive Season and hope that you & Ela ¹ will do honor to the Turkey – which is a noble dish to set before two Persons! but what could we do? not being near enough to share it with you. I am glad to hear from Ela’s letters to Mamie, ² received this morning, that Fanny (the kitchen maid) manages to prepare your food tolerably – for I should grieve to feel that you were too uncomfortable, – during this interim – We are getting on very well here – and rejoicing that the weather continues so warm – nothing could be pleasanter or less seasonable than yesterday. I was induced to make the most of it – and at last, over tired myself, because I liked staying out so much. – Charles ³ has joined us in this lodging, and whenever we leave, he will take possession of the Dining-Room apartments. We shall of course make a very short stay here – but we have not fixed our day of return as yet.

The weather today has been gloomy but not cold. –

I am impatient to hear your explanation of the Phantascope ⁴ exhibition which Ela took you to see. – I don’t hear of any amusing sights here –

Charles is suffering rather more pain today in his leg – from extra fatigue of the last few days – that proves that he is not yet in a fit condition to leave Weymouth – unless he were to exchange it for some other Sea side place – Our accounts from Dabton ⁵ are very satisfactory, but the weather seems to be much colder there. Perhaps they like it better.

I enclose a note for Ela – I hope she had the letter I wrote to her yesterday –

Your affectionate
Constance

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^re
4 Circus
Bath