TALBOT3152

Nice
19 Octobre

My Dearest Henry

I have just received your two letters from Turin, where we decided not to go – upon hearing the Cholera there was much encreased – & reflecting that by the time we returned over the Col de Tendi it might be difficult or impassable, there having been a great fall of snow unusually early this Autumn – Instead we mean to take the same quantity of pleasure at Paris, & to leave this a Month earlier on purpose. The beginning of February I mean to take my departure unless indeed you should realize the scheme hinted at in your letter, ¹ how blessed I should be to receive you here! Constance ² I know thinks this place disagrees with her, but could she not stay at Markeaton ³ during your absence? and then you could travel back with us – so snug. We shall be in England the end of March, & I meant by myself to go immediately down to Laycock abbey for a week to see Ela ⁴. I am sorry to see you do not take to the dear old place, it seems to me so cheerful. I am sure I could live there quite alone & I am likely to be tried for M^r F. ⁵ has a scheme of bringing Horatia ⁶ to Aix next Autumn & they have promised not even to ask me to accompany them, & you will certainly be wandering in that Season of the year. I am so greived [sic] about the old Elm!! I had rather have lost many relations. Verani ⁷ has brought me a box of bulbs, & racines Our letters are now only 4 days from Paris – This rivals the English Mails. They have been trying experiments with the French Post office which is the reason you have sometimes found our letters were shorter or longer en route. Do write to me very often. This place is very dull at present, its reputation of cholera has frightened many. You will find Ela much grown after a seven weeks absence Tell me all about her. When does Fitz ⁸ go? I wish he had agreed to stay till my return

H. F. Talbot Esq^r
Laycock abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire
Angleterre