TALBOT3324

Lacock Abbey
Wed July 6 –

My dear, very dear Henry

Here is the bulky packet which I promised you – please to give the note to Caroline ¹ when you see her or hear of any message being sent to her – The letters for Emily ² & for Aunt Newton ³ to be franked if you please – not sent without – they can wait a day or so without inconvenience – I have put the directions on the back of each – I hope you received a letter ⁴ from me yesterday enclosed to M^r Strangways ⁵ – it contained an order for a bonnet for Ela ⁶ – You may pay for it, if requested, because I can depend upon the correctness of M^rs Andrews’s ⁷ charges – I have thought of one other commission which I believe will be the last – it consists of a piece of Gamboge for flower painting – you will find it inexpensive – I am doubtful whether we sent the right flower yesterday for the Ornithoga[lum]⁸ It was almost the only thing in bloom in the spot that you mentioned, but it looked most particularly like an Allium – Fitzsimmons ⁹ was determined to send you a specimen of the Phalangium also, in case you should mean that! at the same time he was much afraid that you would laugh at our ignorance – I recollect perfectly some Stars of Bethlehem which flowered early in your Botanic garden – I am afraid that the wind yesterday must have been too high for Marian’s ¹⁰ project of sailing. – The Thunder w^h I mentioned, lasted till about eleven & for about 2 hours seemed very near – but we had no rain of any consequence. Ela continues to talk about you, though perhaps not quite so much as at first –

from dear Henry’s affectionate
Constance. –

Did you intend that the Globe ¹¹ should continue to come here as usual? – I fear there must be some mistake. – I will preserve them for you carefully – apart from the old ones –

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
31. Sackville Street