TALBOT3326

Sunday July 10 –

My dear Henry

The post this morning brought two documents for you – one is merely a note from Chippenham ¹ – the other is a very wise-looking printed sheet – entitled “M^r Talbot’s Researches in the Integral Calculus –” ² Judging that you might wish to see the latter without loss of time I have enclosed it by this post to M^r Strangways ³ – so, as I said on a former occasion, I advise you to send to him for it, if it should not arrive immediately – I long exceedingly to see you again, but I scarcely expect that you will come so soon as Tuesday – I learnt yesterday that the Assizes commence on Thursday; from M^r & M^rs Starky ⁴ who paid me a morning visit – M^r S– was anxious to know whether you meant to attend; & as I discovered in the course of conversation, that he had a cause of his own coming on, I suspected that he might wish to engage your services as a Juryman – Luckily I had just before expatiated upon your sufferings of last year, ⁵ so I hope, if he had entertained any such designs, he would relinquish them in consequence of what I said – The Heir of Spy-park ⁶ & the Heiress of Lacock Abbey ⁷ were introduced to each other. – He is 2 years old & a very fine child indeed, but by no means so disposed to sociability as Ela, whose advances he received with ungallant coldness – However I must say in excuse for him that he was cutting a troublesome tooth, & annoyed besides, at being torn away from the contemplation of the Carriage-horses – I learn from M^r John Awdry ⁸ that he had a second attack from Thieves last night – Fortunately they only secured a leg of Mutton, as the family were aroused by the ringing of the bells which had been attached to some of the doors as a measure of precaution – He thinks he shall be able to discover the depredators. –

Tomorrow evening, Ela & I are going to drink tea with M^rs Paley ⁹ at seven o’clock! – Did you expect I should be so gay during your absence? –

I was delighted yesterday to discover in the greenhouse a third pot of young oranges of my February sowing – I wonder we should both have been so long ignorant of its existence – You will find your Seedlings immensely grown, especially one of the Ipomeas whose slender shoots proclaim it to be a creeping plant – Several things in my garden have blown since you went – but as there is nothing rare, I will not give you their names –

Ela trots about merrily without even the assistance of a finger – & I am charmed to remark that she has a most excellent notion of falling – She goes every day into your Library & plays on the Sofa &c – She has just recommenced talking of ‘Mamma’ – but ‘Papa’ is still the favorite – I hope Horatia ¹⁰continues to amend – my love to her –

Your affectionate
Constance.

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
31. Sackville Street
London