TALBOT3382

Markeaton ¹
October 23 –

My dear Henry

Your letter ² has made me so happy, that as my Father ³ has occasion to send again to the Post office today, I cannot forbear writing to tell you how happy I am – for I have been pining sadly for your society of late. – What a deliciously mild bright day you have got to cheer you amid the deariness [sic] of London! – I know not the nature of your business there, but I am glad that it is not likely to detain you long; and whether it confines you to the house or tempts you abroad, I shall still hope that the Sun will continue to shine brightly on your undertakings. – The William Mundys ⁴ have postponed their return home until the end of this week, so I hope you will contrive to catch a glimpse of them previously. – M^rs Crowther ⁵ & M^rs Gell come to us tomorrow – the latter is to depart on Thursday, but the former will probably remain a little longer – She is a most excellent woman, & though not exactly the cleverest of her sex, I am sure you must like or at any rate esteem her. – At least she will not trouble you, for she possesses the quietest manner possible, combined with a degree of cheerfulness which is rather remarkable at her age – I hope you may also meet Sir Francis Burdett, ⁶ for he has proposed himself for a visit during the course of the week; and though accepted in the Spirit of cousinly affection, we do by no means reckon upon the certainty of his coming at all; his character being one of considerable versatility. – He has been staying alone at Foremark during the greater part of the Summer, being exceedingly attached to the place although Lady Burdett ⁷ is not – wherefore she & her Daughters alone only accompany him occasionally. – As it is a very pretty place & I have never seen it, my sisters ⁸ have proposed to drive over there on Tuesday if the day should prove fine – M^rs Crowther & Harriot are to be included in the party. – If we do go, I know who I shall wish for – I feel rather distressed for the honor of my native county, that its gardens should have assumed a completely wintry aspect while those of Wiltshire are still blooming. – May it be the effect of accident, or should you suppose the difference of latitude to be the sole cause of it? – I know this particular spot of land always falls a victim to the earliest frosts, while the higher country in the environs eesap escapes. – The provoking part is that since that one cold night, we have had remarkably mild weather. – Today is enchantingly lovely. –

Did I tell you that Ela ⁹ cut a tooth the other day? – She is looking much better again now than she did just at the moment –

Make my compliments to that dear good creature Fanny, ¹⁰ & enquire tenderly after her health. –

The day after I wrote last I forwarded to you a letter which I conjectured to be from Caroline ¹¹ – I hope it reached you safely –

Your very affectionate
Constance. –

If you come Thursday afternoon (which somehow I guess you will) you may (if disposed) accompany Harriot & my Brother to a ball at Derby on the same evening. – I am sure you will consider this an unlooked for piece of good fortune! –

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
31. Sackville Street
London