TALBOT3384

Penrice Castle ¹
24 October

My Dear Henry

We arrived here Saturday last, after passing two nights at Lanelay ² & two at Margam ³ I wonder we have not heard a word from you, but imagine that by this time you must be at Markeaton. ⁴ The post only comes in here three times a week, perhaps the next time it may bring some thing from you –

We intend leaving this the 3^d November & are to pay Lanelay a visit again chemin faisant, ⁵ Emma’s ⁶ house is building, & Charlotte ⁷ is at Tenby. I write now merely to let you know our plans, & that you may come before we go, & then Horatia ⁸ will form a liaison between Constance ⁹ & L^y Charlotte. The trees have suffered in those gales, one very large & very handsome Witch Elm is blown down entirely, in a most sheltered nook, this seems unaccountable, because it was not a tree weakened by want of Sun. I saw Jane ¹⁰ at Merthyr Mawr, ¹¹ where I passed two hours, she was très souffrante ¹² & is going to London.

She recommends Dunraven Castle for your winter sejour ¹³ by the Sea & says it is let in apartments, but by no means indiscriminately, for M^rs Bennett ¹⁴ is extremely particular as to her company. She is you know la belle mere ¹⁵ of Lord Dunraven, ¹⁶ [and?] ¹⁷ has the Castle for her life, having been the heiress.

You understand we are not bound to a day about leaving this, which may vary according to your plans – if required

aff y^rs
E F

Swansea Oct^r twenty four 1836 C R M Talbot ¹⁸
W. H. F. Talbot Esq^r
Markeaton
Derby
31. Sackville Street ¹⁹
London