TALBOT3916

Dabton ¹–
Dec. 9^th
1874

My dear Papa –

I hope you got my card despatched from Thornhill on Monday evening. We had a capital journey – and Connie ² finds that change of air has done her cold good though she has not quite got rid of it yet – Tilly ³ thinks her looking very well and flourishing and Mamay is in high spirits at having got her sister back again – They are all looking well I think, though Mamay has a little cold –

Yesterday was a horrid cold day, with east wind and storms of sleet, today fine after a stormy frosty night – but the roads are covered with ice & slippery. I dare say by this time it is cold at Lacock too – and no doubt you will soon be seeking warmer quarters at Bath – I dare say Charles ⁴ is already gone there as I heard the church business was off his hands for the present. I think they are quite right in postponing the spire till next year – as it would not be good weather for building at present.

M^rs Maxwell left for Edinburgh yesterday, in the midst of the storm – and Miss Gordon has taken her final departures and is in London – looking out for a situation – she has heard of nothing suitable yet. –

The Japan Anemone roots arrived all right and were planted out by the gardener this morning – Tilly says that when at Lacock she had said she wanted some other things but has forgotten herself now what they were. – it is a pity she did not make a list. The hills are covered with Snow today – and the ground was white all about Shap as we came along. –

We left Bath by 7.30 train and drove up to the door here about 9 ocl. It was a bright starry night. –

Good bye dear papa

Your affec^te daughter
Ela

The dark Kitten Tilly brought away from Lacock has become a very tame & nice little cat, but I do not think it will be a beauty.

[envelope:]
H F Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts