TALBOT3623

Lacock Abbey
Sunday Dec^r 3^d

My dear Henry

Your Mothers ¹ cold is better today and she has less fever – M^r Kenrick ² says she will be well in a few days – Horatia ³ & I feared at first that it was going to be a rheumatic fever, but now we feel satisfied that [illegible deletion] it is nothing of that kind. – I have not seen her these two days – for she has not only remained in her own room but also kept her bed – She is sitting up today, but is still ordered to remain quiet. – Her throat is painful & very much swelled – to relieve this, M^r Kenrick has desired her to inhale the Steam of hot water, or vinegar-water. – I am so glad that Horatia was not overpersuaded to go to Abbotsbury, ⁴ for her Mother would have missed her more than ever during this bad cold – I am much pleased to hear that there is still a chance of our having the Estcourts ⁵ at Bowden Hill ⁶ – it is very kind of them to ask us as often as they do to visit them at New Park – Will you do a commission for Horatia & me which has just occurred to us? – It is to purchase four pair of black spun silk stockings at Ludlam’s in Oxford S^t. H. cannot recollect the number; but it is a Hosier’s shop in Oxford S^t on the right hand side going from Regent S^t towards the Park – Horatia bought some there lately very nice at 5/0 the pair – but you cannot chuse wrong if you ask for good spun silk of a full ladies full sized Ladies stocking –

I regret to hear of your unpleasant adventure at the dinner among the Savans. ⁷ – I hope you will feel no bad effect from it. –

Your affectionate
Constance

M^rs Kenrick tells me that she will be at home all this week & glad to see me any day that I can go – she has invited the Children ⁸ to dine with her at one o’clock. This is exactly what I wished –

The post today was about three hours later than usual. – it is rumoured that a thick fog occasioned the delay – Our Chicks are quite well with the exception of Ela’s finger which M^r Kenrick says must be poulticed. – It is a long time since she pinched it & tiresome for her, little darling –

Monday – After writing the above yesterday I learned that your Mother had herself written to you, & therefore I res[erve]d ⁹ mine for today’s post, that I might give you a further account of her – She is much better today & has been sitting with us in the Library for several hours She has eaten mutton chops & wine & water & seems renovated. – The children have been in the room & did not seem to fatigue her – this is being as much better as possible – She desires me to ask you to speak to M^r Higgs, 63 Davies Street, & learn from him what he has done about letting her Stables – She wants to know while you are in Town –

Last night I read the whole of L^d J. Russel’s ¹⁰ speech about the Irish poor Laws– Horatia has a little cold & pain in her face – owing perhaps to the foggy weather –

Y^r affectionate –

H. F. Talbot Esq^re
31 Sackville Street
London