TALBOT3303

Moreton ¹

Friday June 17^th 1836

Dear Henry

I received your letter this morning, a moment before I left Abbotsbury, ² where I only arrived yesterday, having been detained at M^t E. ³ two days longer than I originally intended; viz: Monday, because I could not get ready before, & Tuesday on Bimbo’s ⁴ account, who was not well – He is quite recovered however, now, & I was very sorry to pay Lady Ilchester ⁵ such a short visit – we had an extremely snug tête-à-tête, however, the greatest part of the time – I arrived early & found there my Uncle Charles, Susan & Fanny, ⁶ but they went home after our 5 o’clock dinner – He is grown very thin & old, & so is Fanny – I am afraid I cannot be with you by the 20^th & should have contrived a moment yesterday to tell you so, if I had recollected how long it will would be before this can reach es you – Another reason why I did not think it necessary to settle the precise day till I came here, was that I was fully persuaded you were now in London – I am sorry you put off your journey in expectation of me – but let it stand thus – If L^d V. ⁷ hurries me, on account of having found a house, I will set off from here as soon as I can after the 20^th w^h I suppose will be 22^nd (on account of the expediency, not to say necessity of washing;) if & <sic> I hear nothing from you to hurry me either, I might extend my visit here a day or two – I might then even have several days for Laycock Abbey, if the difficulty of finding a pied à terre ⁸ is so great as L^d V– intimates – & if you cannot stay all the time, I dare say Constance ⁹ will take care of me & Bimbo for a little while – Lady I. desired me to say she could not send the cuttings by me, as her gardener was gone to London for the Horticultural exhibition – where he has gained a medal for his lovely mesembrianthemums – but that as soon as he returns, you shall have everything you can wish for –

Y^rs aff^ly

Caroline

Pray answer this as if I am already on my road towards you it will not signify, & if I am not it will hasten my departure Love to Constance & Ela ¹⁰ –
Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham