TALBOT3364

Worcester
Thursday evening

Dear Henry

Here we are comfortably established at the Hop Pole – after a prosperous day’s journey – No accident even of the most trifling nature occurred – to throw some shade of interest over our progress – excepting indeed the momentary loss of the Nursery maid’s bonnet, which was carried off by the wind while we were traversing a beautifully wooded valley in the environs of a town which I conjectured to be Tetbury. – The said bonnet was picked up by one a pedestrian who happened to be one of Clifford’s ¹ Brothers-in-law, residing in those parts. – I lamented the necessity of passing the Churches or Cathedrals of Malmesbury, Tewkesbury &c without getting a peep at their interiors – but I hope you will indulge me on our return – The outside of Tewkesbury I admired extremely – it looks so very ancient; & Malmesbury struck me much from the remarkable circumstance of some part being in positive ruins, while the rest appeared to be in the most perfect state of preservation – What were those very high hills which I observed on the left at some distance – between this place & Tewkesbury? – Clifford said she believed they were the range of Welsh mountains – Not being provided with a map, I could not orient [illegible] myself sufficiently to judge whether this were possible – We dined at Rodborough – that being the best division for Ela ² – & I assure [sic] she was most thankful to escape from the carriage though it was only half past one & she had slept at least an hour & 3 quarters. – She would not sleep again afterwards & therefore grew very tired & complaining before seven when we arrived here – I think poor little dear, she was tormented by her teeth, which was unlucky when the journey alone would have been a sufficient trial for her – She is now most comfortably asleep – forgetful of all her troubles – I propose to follow her example shortly being likewise rather tired myself – though very much revived within the last hour by the influence of several cups of tea & a most excellent buttered cake – I intend setting forth really at nine o’clock tomorrow, & conclude we shall reach Markeaton ³ soon after six – The delay this morning, (I discovered afterwards) was occasioned by a wrong box having been packed with the Nurse’s things & it had to be entirely undone at the last moment. – And then think of our forgetting the cap box altogether! – I assure you we received it most gratefully from the hands of Pullen. ⁴ I consider Price ⁵ to have been the chief culprit as she ought to have seen it conveyed from my room –

Pray write to me soon dear Henry, & tell me about poor dear Horatia’s ⁶ face. – And please to tell Lady Elisabeth ⁷ with my love that Ela enjoyed the Naples biscuits extremely, & ate four of them de suite for her luncheon –

Adieu – your very affectionate
Constance. –

H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham