TALBOT3732

Moreton ¹
Tuesday
Sept^r 25^th

My dear Henry

I was very glad to get your letter which was the first word from home that gl cheered my eyes. I had a nice long one to-day from Caroline ² in better spirits than I could have expected after all her troubles – I suppose Mama ³ is with her by this time – I was surprised to hear thro’ Louisa FitzM. ⁴ that Mama’s cold was better, as she had not mentioned it to me, I trust it was not a bad one. I was very angry at your having another Aurora borealis in my absence. We saw nothing of it here tho’ I believe it was visible in these parts. I never saw this place looking so well before it is really much prettier than it is reputed in general, & there are some very fine trees which I had never observed without their leaves – & the hollies & rhododendrons grow quite wonderfully. I have now settled to stay here till my Aunt ⁵ goes to Weymouth & perhaps accompany her there for a few days – & then progress to Abb. & Melbury. ⁶ I assure you we are extremely diligent at our studies & I expect soon to write to you in Latin – I only wish the grammars were a little clearer in their explanations – they seem to be constructed on the principle of puzzling the boys as much as possible. Only think of find the story of Cinderella in Strabo! ⁷ I wonder if you ever saw it – To-day we are going to have an incursion of Welds⁸ from Lulworth Castle, M^r Wollaston ⁹ &^c & so have been obliged to stow away all the dictionaries & exercises. Lord Lansdo[wne]¹⁰ has made a very short séjour ¹¹ in Ireland. I understand he is to be at Bowood ¹² Monday I am rejoiced at it for Aunt Louisa’s ¹³ sake as she was always fancying he would fall ill without her. I hope you or Constance ¹⁴ will write to me now & then & tell me what you are about & whether Rosamond ¹⁵ walks alone Give them my love

y^r aff^te Sister
Horatia.

M^r Frampton ¹⁶ desired I would thank you particularly for having thought of sending him your book. He had been reading it & found it very amusing but thought you would not perhaps be pleased with such a compliment – I suppose he fancied you would be like M^r Moore ¹⁷ who was so proud of having written a dry book. Tell me if there is anything left in flower – & if your library is finished & restored to its usual assiette. ¹⁸

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham