TALBOT3568

You left me with no particular charge about writing to you dear Henry – but I doubt not that you will wish for some account of us from time to time. – I will say nothing on the subject which almost wholly occupies my thoughts, except that I am constantly praying for you all, that you may be supported under your heavy trial – Your letters are a great comfort to me, especially when they contain tolerable accounts [illegible deletion] of yourself & the rest of the party. – Pray thank M^lle Amelina ¹ for so kindly writing to me the day after you left home. – it was very good of her to make such an exertion for my sake – I look anxiously for letters every morning – & if nothing arrives, as was the case today, I feel certain that you have nothing fresh to tell me – I earnestly pray that this state of things may not continue long –

I had a very agreeable letter from Harriot ² & Laura ³ a few days since written at Havre where they were resting themselves after a fatiguing journey from Caen the preceding day – Ere this they are returned to Brighton having made a tour of precisely ten days – commencing on Saturday the 19^th & ending Monday the 28^th They spent two days at Rouen & were delighted with everything they saw there They admired the banks of the Seine from Rouen to Honfleur; – & from the latter place they proceeded by land to Caen. There they chiefly admired the Church of St Etienne founded by William the Conqueror & also that founded by his Queen Matilda ⁴ – It is a pity the Trio did not give themselves a little more time whereby to extend their tour – but I think they contrived to see a great deal in so short a space – & they certainly appear to have enjoyed it as much as it was possible to do – They found nothing to complain of excepting the heat – Perhaps this present change to cool weather revives them after their exertions – for my own part I am sorry & somewhat ashamed to confess that I have been grumbling at the change & wrapping myself up in all kinds of warm clothing – Our dear children ⁵ are quite well. – & Ela enjoys her rides on Cousin Louisa’s ⁶ Donkey – It is a good tempered quiet creature & does not kick like the last – Ela dined with me yesterday, upon the occasion of a roast Chicken – She often talks about her Papa –

Your affectionate
Constance

Saturday Sep^tr 2^d

I have sowed the seed which you desired –

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
at the Marquis of Lansdowne’s ⁷
Richmond
Surrey