TALBOT3192

Sackville S^{t 1}
Monday Night

Dearest Constance

Ela’s ² progress in 2 months appears to me to be marvellous, especially her having attained to so difficult a word as uncle. I suppose uncle must have been particularly kind to her, so that she was induced to take particular pains in acquiring his name.

I did not know that any of our family was exposed to the great storm, till W^{m 3} told me today that Starndale was on his passage from Rotterdam to London, and that he was 51 hours reaching Margate. Now see what a good thing a barometer is, for a sudden great fall of the mercury is an indication which no wise person, intending to cross the german ocean,⁴ would neglect.

They are going to make me a Member of the Council of the Royal Society, in consequence I suppose of the papers I sent them; I have promised to attend whenever I can, that is to say whenever I am in Town.⁵

Tuesday

We had as fine a day on Sunday as you had, but yesterday was raw and foggy, which has given me a very bad cold & in consequence I do not feel as if I should be able to do much today out of doors – I believe I shall therefore require to remain in Town tomorrow & next day and set off Friday –

The Lansdownes ⁶ have reached Berlin where their son joined them from Konigsberg, & now I believe they are going to Dresden, & soon afterwards coming home.

Your aff^te
Henry