TALBOT3481

M^t Edgcumbe ¹

Saturday March 18^th 1837

My dear Henry

Many thanks for your letter & good news – I am so happy to hear dear Constance ² is doing so well, & hope she will be more watchfully attended this time – Horatia ³ is still here with me & joins with L^d Valletort ⁴ & me in wishing you both joy of your new Babe & Ela ⁵ of her little Sister – Is it not rather earlier than was expected? When I saw your letter this morning, I began to wonder quelle mouche t’avait piqué tout d’un coup, ⁶ having received one only yesterday from you – the real cause of the missive never occurred to me – I am sorry I have no such good news to send you in return – but do not tell Constance of it, as I am sure it would agitate her – Poor dear little Bimbo ⁷ had a fall today simply running outside the Nursery door – the boards had been washed & he slipped up with his arm twisted somehow under him – I arrived only 5 minutes after, & found him lying in the housekeeper’s lap, with his poor little arm quite bent, & his face perfectly colourless – I was afraid it was broken the moment I saw it, but he was quite quiet – & the surgeon a very clever man soon arrived & said <illegible deletion> both bones were broken, but not in a bad place, which would have been the case had it been nearer the wrist – He set it immediately, as gently as he could – it hurt him however very much, poor little darling, but he behaved as well as possible; with as much patience & courage as any grown up person – the moment it was bandaged up, colour began to return & his spirits too – & we had some difficulty in keeping him quiet the rest of the day – the doctor considers it a slight accident at his age, & thinks he will not suffer any more pain, & that his arm will be as strong as ever & as straight – only he must be kept still, the grand difficulty – he has been fast asleep this evening till now, (10 o’clock,) & woke up to eat some bread & butter – He was very much pleased to hear of his new cousin – Goodnight dear Henry –

Y^r aff^te sister

Caroline

Write again soon & let us know how Constance is going on –

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
65 Harley Street
Cavendish Square
London