TALBOT3348

London

1^st August

My Dear Henry

I remember perfectly your saying that your library carpet was to take refuge in the Confessional, but then you had not determined on that room being the Nursery.

I enclose an account of the Egyptian Sale, I hope it will not make you repent of not having come up for it. When William ¹ arrives to day at dinner I shall astonish his mind by a description of your flowers in the river a thing I never saw, except on Indian & Chinese screens. We went Friday Evening to the Duchess of Sutherlands ² Music – that magnificent stair case with people all the way up, was exactly like a Paul Veronese. I am glad there were many foreigners, quite a thing for them to admire, being perfectly unique Nous son genre. ³ It is very Italian looking, but even in Italy they do not generally sit in a great Hall with a stair case in it. There were quantities of rare flowers beautifully disposed, they appeared to be growing out of antique vases & tripods. One was a tall plant with red pendant blossoms that rose out of a verd-antique horn, and some had a small sort of pink with grassy leaves, that growing out of these antique marbles had sometimes the effect of grass grown ruins. This was very recherché, & would not have occurred to a common mind.

We intend leaving town late on Wednesday & sleeping at Spunhill, & so get to Laycock early Thursd^y, for I particularly wish to arrive there before Ela ⁴ is gone to sleep. We shall bring Amandier ⁵ with us, as on more consideration it will be best. in haste

Yrs

we shall bring down the bell ropes & many books left for you, besides numerous etceteras

Henry