TALBOT3116

My dear Henry,

I think that by this time you will be wishing for some account of us, & waiting particularly to know how your little Ela ¹ thrives in a new air. – Her Grandmamma ² pronounces that she is beginning with her teeth already. – it is early for this – but I too am the more inclined to believe it possible from a very slight rash which covered her face yesterday. – She is merry & amiable as usual; & the admiration of all who have chanced to meet her in her walks. – I called upon Lady Mary ³ yesterday – I thought her & M^rs Traherne ⁴ looking extremely well. They are dying with impatience to see Ela & so I intend taking her there today. – Lady Mary was much pleased with M^r Gage’s flowers but a little disappointed I think, that they were not the produce of Lacock. She expatiated upon the beauty of M^r Nash’s garden & conservatory ⁵ – I must go & see them if I can –

I am sorry to say that my dear Mother is still very far from well. – She has been much worse than when you saw her & was only able to leave her room for a few hours both yesterday & Sunday. – She has swallowed scarcely anything in the way of food since I have been here & everything that she did attempt to take made her sick – this morning however there is a decided improvement & we hope she will amend gradually & without any more drawbacks. – but her being so unwell has cast a sad gloom over things at present hitherto; & I fear that many people will have left Cowes before she is able to enjoy their society. – Her doctor M^r Davids has given great satisfaction, though he has not contrived to cure her yet – but he is cautious & attentive, & says that we have not the smallest cause for anxiety. – Laura’s ⁶ friendless situation has inspired me with the gay resolve of going to the Ball with her tomorrow. – As it is to be almost, al fresco, in under the Yatchs Club awning, I think it cannot hurt me – I am charmed with the notion of being of the slightest use – & my Mother greatly applauds my resolution – I hope you too will approve, as I should be au diséspoir ⁷ to do anything that you did not like. – There will be fireworks on the evening of the Regatta which will be very pretty, I should think – and here the evening air is so exceedingly mild that there is not the smallest risk of catching cold however late one may be out. –

I was rather pleased to get your letter on Sunday morning – & to know something of your plan for returning to Lacock – I fear you must be dreadfully hot in the Courts today – unless from the newness of [illegible deletion] their construction all the latest improvements in ventilation have been adopted. – Do you remember how you suffered from cold in Devizes last winter at the Sessions?–

I hope we shall soon have further accounts from Price ⁸ – do not, pray, forget to tell me. We are extremely comfortable (Ela & I) in our small abode & live at Trafalgar house the whole of the day. – Ela is almost devoured by her Aunts’ admiring eyes – you must excuse my sending you such a hasty & scrawly letter – but I am rather hurried as we are to drive to Carisbrook castle ⁹ in a few minutes – I hope I shall hear from you very soon & know what you are going to do in Cardig<an> ¹⁰

Your affec^te
Constance

The workbox was mine – it arrived safely yesterday in the Steamer. – It must have been left in the Fly ¹¹ for I saw it taken down stairs out of the sitting room myself – I had missed it just before I got your letter.–

Tuesday August 18^th

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham