TALBOT3436

Laycock abbey
14^th Jan^ry

My Dear Henry

I write by return of Post as you desire, to say we are fixed here & shall be very glad to see you next Monday – i.e. we are fixtures but Horatia ¹ is moveable, & is engaged to Bowood ² next week, however she will put it off a day or two to see you, as you say you can stay only a few days. I am sure you can never find any place dull as you have a new science to explore everywhere you go. I remember when I was bored to death at Worthing you were as happy as possible in that little dark back parlour, making discoveries every day & never heeding the snow & dismalness without. From what I read in the Globe ³ since I cannot help thinking some illnatured person has attributed to Crosse ⁴ finding the insects in Flint in the same way the objects in the Moon were attributed to Herschell ⁵ to make him appear absurd. Otherwise what does D^r Ritchie ⁶ mean? who has abused him. Let me know whether you really come Monday that your cowl ⁷ may be put up in the dressing room – & your chimny [sic] not smoke so abominably as when you were in it last.

The weather is deplorable. I have not been out these two days

aff^ly y^rs
E F

The 2^d vol of His^y of Ireland ⁸ will not be out till the Spring. He fags very much at it, & after all none of his own friends will read it, they have told him so, and would him [sic] in lighter works. I believe it will be very well done but it is an ungrateful subject. There was little done on Stavordale’s ⁹ Birthday, only a Ball for the Servants & Strong Beer for the Tenants.

H. Fox Talbot Esq^r
Sidmouth
Devon