TALBOT3669

St Leonards – ¹
May 9

My dear Henry

Thanks for the Cheque for £40· – My note to the Biscuit maker ought not to have been left lying about – but it seems I forgot to lear [sic] it up after finding that it was of no use. Lady Elisabeth ² will think I am growing extremely untidy, since I have committed 2 offences of this kind in so short a space of time. –

I am very sorry you cannot yet send me a letter account of L^d Valletort ³ – it is indeed a sad trial for poor Caroline ⁴ – Do tell Lady Elisabeth that I am as much surprised as she can possibly expect at hearing that she has actually executed a piece of needlework & that I am most impatient to see it –

They tell me here at the hotel that my best way of getting into the Bath road from hence without going through London, is to cross from Bromley to Hounslow. – I had been thinking myself of leaving the Hastings road at Seven oaks but they say that it is far the best way to go as near to London as possible & just avoid entering it in the manner I have mentioned; & that this is what is always done by their Bath visitors. – I have a prejudice against stopping at Hounslow, but I think Cranford Bridge would do very well to sleep at – would it not? – & this division I suppose would be pretty equal. – I have had an excellent character of the Cook & have written to engage her. & as she is now in London she will be able to travel down to Lacock very comfortably with our other 2 servants. Will you secure 3 places for them on Wednesday morning – or will it do wher for them to take their chance? – It certainly would be most comfortable if you could, without trouble secure places, & also send word home at what place & hour the Cart should be sent to meet them – Pray think whether it will be possible to appoint horses to meet us as usual in the 2 long stages – 9 o’clock will be our starting hour each morning & ½ an hour must be allowed for dinner. – I am afraid I am asking you to take a great deal of trouble about this same journey, but you will do it or not as you please – You can’t think what a charming drive we took yesterday in the cool of the evening – We dined at 3 o’clock & staid at home till the heat of the sun was a little pass[ed] Today we are going to pursue the same pl[missing text]⁵ but Laura ⁶ & Emily ⁷ have already had an excursion on the water which they said was delightful. – The picture continues to proceed well – today’s sitting was rather a short one – & the next (which is fixed for Friday) will be the concluding one I believe – in the interval it is going to be worked up at home – & M^r Forster expects that I shall be delighted with the change when he brings it again on Friday.–⁸

Your aff^te
Constance

I have received the second specimen of Lithography & I am the more pleased with its success since I have found the extreme difficulty of making good copies in Drawing – I think they will render my labours in that way unnecessary. –

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