TALBOT3092

Genoa

26^th May

My Dear Henry

Yours of the 16^th followed me from Nice – you need not have made it so short merely because you thought I should never get it, for some how they always do arrive, in whatever obscure corner of the world one may be in. I am delighted at your good accounts of Constance, ¹ for I was very uneasy about her, however alls well that ends well, & I trust she is now able to enjoy the possession of her little girl. ² I believe we should return to Nice the first week in June, so always direct there, tho’ Horatia ³ is anxious to go to Florence & Lucean Baths, but that I will not. I sacrifice my own inclination (of going to England) for Caroline ⁴ & therefore I will do it completely, for she wants our company this long dull time before as much almost as of during the Confinement. Lord V. ⁵ is seemed quite resolved on going home as soon afterwards as possible, only he is very changeable. But of what use is his living abroad, he could not have been worse in London, & there at home he would have friends to console him, besides all the innumerable comforts which illness requires & which are never found out of our island. I was enchanted with the Corniche, ⁶ how beautiful! & what variety! Never two leafing in the same style. It far surpassed my expectations, which few things ever do. They are improving the road & altering it every day. You did not pass it at this season- it is now tapissé ⁷ with the most lovely flowers, all up the banks creep a most exquisite bright-lilac conoolooley with aisters! Of varied colours, Heath Myrtles & innumerable shrubs I see in gardens in England I wish I knew the names to tell you, but faute de cela ⁸ I have dried some. I will not make a long letter because yours are so short

Ainsi adieu ⁹

Give my love to Constance & a kiss to Ela– how I long to see her!

H.Fox Talbot Esq^r.
31. Sackville Street
London
Angleterre
GENOVA ¹⁰