TALBOT3532

Sackville S^{t 1}
Wednesday
5^th July

My dear Henry

I rejoice to tell you that Papa ² is going on very well he slept a great deal in the night & in the daytime also which is a very good thing after all the fatigue & suffering he has undergone. – The leg is rather less swelled & not so red as it was, & they hope it is getting slowly well – Of course he is very weak & has many pains & aches still, particularly in his back from laying [sic] so long in the same attitude – for it is now 3 weeks since he was taken ill – but it such [sic] a blessing to see him improving if ever so gradually He seems now as if quite come to himself after having been in a dream all this time just now he asked where is dear Henry? & when we told him you were at Laycock he said I wish somebody would tell him how much I love him – I am too ill to write myself – & then the tears came into my eyes. I was quite attendrie ³ & I am sure you will be when you read this

Adieu love to Constance ⁴

y^r aff^te Sister
Horatia

Mama ⁵ is very much tired & feels the want of sleep & air now more than hitherto – but she is going out presently & now he is better I hope she will get better nights & take care of herself – The 6 maids of honour are Emily Murray, ⁶ Miss Rice[?], Miss Lister, Miss Cox (L^d Eastnor’s daughter) Miss Cavendish & Miss Pitt. ⁷

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts