TALBOT3620

London
29^th Nov^r 1837

My Dear Constance

I met with no adventures on my journey; I had the coach to myself good part of the way, and arrived in Town at half past nine, which I was very glad to do, since it was very cold. While I was drinking tea, the Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society called upon me & informed me that the Council having voted that my paper on Crystals ¹ which I sent them about a twelvemonth ago, should be the Bakerian Lecture for the present year, a prize of 4 pounds had thereby become due to me, which he therefore had called for the purpose of paying to me. So I thanked him for his politeness & put the 4 pounds into my new purse and I intend to make you a present of them.

London looks very triste & dismal - W^m Strangways² returned yesterday, I have not seen him yet. I called on Lord Lansdowne³ whom I found slightly indisposed with a lumbago, nevertheless he was going to walk down to the Council Room -

Yours aff^ly
Henry

M^rs Talbot
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham