TALBOT3136

Cowes – ¹
Friday Sept^r 18^th

My own dear Henry

It seems almost ridiculous to direct to you at Lacock when I know you to be far away; but as I conclude you would not approve of my preserving absolute silence on this account, I must trust that some propitious accident may waft my letter to the unknown regions where you are wandering at the moment. – Your last was most welcome as I was very much rejoiced to hear that you had at last left home. – Think of our having been parted 5 long weeks all but one day! – it already seems to me an age and though I shall be very sorry to leave my Family under the great uncertainty of how & where & when I may meet them all again, I shall look forwards to the end of the month & your arrival with no small degree of pleasure. – Would that I could persuade you when you do come to spend one or two nights at Cowes, – that you might see your dear Aunt Lady Mary ² who always talks about you – for which alone I should love her, did I not like her for many other reasons – She was very unwell 2 days ago, & seemed still very bad today when she called upon me. – When I remarked upon the imprudence of her taking so long a walk, she answered that she had felt so ill & miserable at home that she thought she would try the experiment of walking. – How it succeeded I have not yet heard – but at any rate now she has the comfort of her daughter to nurse her. – The Nicholls ³ went home the other day & passing through Southampton left Miss Talbot ⁴ there. The Trahernes ⁵ are gone – M^rs Traherne was not quite flourishing on her departure but she is apt to be ailing occasionally I believe.

The sailing vessel turned out very well – my Father ⁶ has had it one week upon trial – & likes it so well that he intends to continue it for 2 more – The weather is grown a little too cold in Laura’s ⁷ opinion & mine for the true enjoyment of aquatic excursions – but with this one exception they are very pleasant – There cannot be a more idle way of spending one’s time & it is therefore one which I should not like for long; as I am beginning gradually to resume my industrious inclinations & have actually made 2 sketches to my infinite pleasure & satisfaction. – The wish to draw which I never expected to return has seized upon me all at once, & the only difficulty now is to find time & convenient opportunities.

We went to Binsted ⁸ [sic] the other day; what a charming place it is! I find you are acquainted with the Flemmings & have visited their pretty cottage several times – nevertheless I wished for you there again to enjoy the beauties for of the flower garden with me. – M^rs Flemming said in her affected way that “she had really nothing worth shewing – everything was gone off though the garden had been beautiful” – but her flower borders were quite full of plants – A scarlet Asclepias particularly attracted my admiration & a fine specimen of the Ipomo[illegible] elegans (I think it is) which you had last year at Lacock –

I hope I may contrive to see M^r Nash’s castle, ⁹ where they say the conservatories & gardens are so beautiful; but now that we have a species of Yacht, our whole time seems to be occupied without any land excursions. – I gave your messages to Lady Mary about M^rs Vickery. ¹⁰ She imagines her to be comfortably settled with her sister, as she has not heard any complaints from her; and Lady Mary always expects her to apply to her in any distress. – She sends her money occasionally but does not think that anything further can be done for her. – This Island is recovering its verdure most rapidly in consequence of the late rains & grows prettier every day. – That latter advantage it shows in common with Ela ¹¹ who really is so charming, that there is nothing in the shape of a Baby to be compared to her – You will not know her again I am sure – & how she will look at you & laugh when she sees you. – She is extremely fond of playing with our faces & pulling our hair, – She has a decided taste for flowers & will no doubt become a great botanist when her little ideas are sufficiently developed – and she listens to Music with rapturous delight.

I am grown quite strong now dear Henry, & shall be ready to mount my white poney on my return to Lacock & ride any distance with you – I have sent an especial message to my Brother ¹² today to beg he will ride it & get it speedily into good order for me – I hope when we meet again at home you will take up your abode somewhat nearer to me – that [illegible deletion] would it not be a good opportunity for making an alteration? – that is, if you can tear yourself away from the comforts of the confessional – I greatly applaud James’s ¹³ activity in cleaning the windows; & will try to overlook many of his other imperfections for the sake thereof. – Marian’s ¹⁴ health is decidedly improving at this place – but I cannot think when they will take up their quarters for the winter – my Father having a horror of remaining at Cowes or indeed at any place on so small an Island as this is –

Addio, caro sposo – ¹⁵ I have been too idle to write to Nice more than once & have not had the grace to answer a letter from M^lle Amélina ¹⁶ – how shocking! but I often form good resolutions & abandon them again

Your affec^te
Constance

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham