TALBOT3713

G^t Malvern – ¹
Saturday August 11^th

My dear Henry

I am not at all surprised that your time has fallen so short as to prevent the present completion of our schemes – & for some days past I have been gradually preparing myself for a change of plans – Malvern is so very pretty & abounds with such charming walks & rides & drives that I could spend a month or two here in the greatest enjoyment [illegible deletion] were I in a little lodging or house of my own. And plenty of nice ones seem to be vacant, only you are not here to chuse one for me, & there is not time for fresh consultation on the subject – So as I am in an enterprising mood & you still think it may be possible to visit the Lakes ² after the Meeting, & as I should like exceedingly to meet Caroline ³ & give Ela ⁴ the pleasure & benefit of meeting her cousin, ⁵ & as I have never seen Buxton &c &c, I have no hesitation in accepting your proposal to go there, instead of remaining here – In regard to Scenery I am afraid I shall make but a poor exchange, but I believe there some [sic] interesting things to be seen in the neighbourhood. Pray write me a line to say whether I must have the children ready to start early on Tuesday or whether they can dine at their usual hour of Two – I can get anything for them to eat at any hour by only asking for it in time, – for the Landlady & all her family are particularly kind to children. I am rather distressed at the observations which every body makes upon Rosamond’s ⁶ looks – Groves ⁷ is constantly stopped by ladies who wish to look at the children & they all say of Baby “how delicate that child looks.” – To my eyes she has always appeared thriving, only a little pale since she began to cut her teeth. – I suppose it must be her fair white complexion unrelieved by hair that conveys the idea of such extreme delicacy, at least I hope it is only that – I shall be curious to see whether the air of Buxton makes any difference in our appetites, for we seem to have partially lost them here. – Anne ⁸ has got an attack of rheumatism in her hand. – she has applied leeches & other remedies recommended by the Doctor & I hope it will pass off without laying her up, & the Doctor says she is even now quite fit to move at any time – We have discovered a charming farm house where the children can drink new milk & yesterday we had an agreeable drive to little Malvern.

I shall be very glad if you can bring with you a few of the children’s warm clothes & also my boa. I have written down the directions about them for Price, ⁹ which you can tear off & give to her –

your aff^te
Constance. –

My love to the dear inmates of Lacock

Envelope:

Henry F. Talbot Esq^re
[Lacock]¹⁰ Abbey
[Chippe]nham