TALBOT3979

Queen Anne Street ¹
Saturday Nov 30 –

My dear Henry

I have delayed writing to you these two days in the hope of being able to say something more decisive respecting my Sisters ² plans – From what M^r Travers said yesterday, I am inclined to think that they will remain in Town some time longer, & therefore they will most gladly accept your offer of sparing me till the end of next week. – This nice long visit will do us all a great deal of good, & we feel extremely grateful to you for it. – I am indeed very comfortable with them, & since I have become used to Ela ³ sleeping with me, I have nothing to make me otherwise – she is quite blooming; the only distress we have had was a little strain of the hand & arm as she had once or twice before at home – But the pain has passed off & the hand is now only a little swelled – I was very much pleased with Bennett’s ⁴ solicitude about the flannel, & I will not neglect her caution & pray tell her that Ela has caught no [illegible deletion] cold either on the journey or [illegible deletion] – she has been taking a nice long walk with us today & enjoyed it much – for the weather was beautiful. – My Brother ⁵ left us this morning & we are therefore going to forward your letters. Caroline ⁶ took me yesterday to see M Daguerre’s ⁷ pictures – some of them delighted me. – I also went to Hoopers to enquire about the Letter weights but they will not be ready for sale before Thursday. Which kind shall I buy for you? – The commonest [illegible] with steel clasp 3/6 – with Spring holder 4/6 – the same on a Clamp to screw to a table 7/– the same mounted on a stand 10/6 – Besides these there is a simple kind for [illegible] & [illegible deletion] & 2 more Letters, adapted for the pocket, – 1/9 with steel clasp & 2/6 with Spring holder. –

I gave Nicole ⁸ your message about paying M^r John Lamb, & he told me that after doing this he sh^d require an additional sum for the journey home – He thought that if you sent 10 pounds which would be rather too much he could bring the remainder back again – Some little time since, Bennett expressed to me a strong desire for a silver saucepan for the use of the nursery that is to say to boil the Baby’s biscuit food – which is a daily process – Now I have seen one which I think would be just the thing, but I don’t know whether you would approve of my buying it, though I know it w^d be a very nice useful thing to have – It is a second-hand [illegible] very strong, (w^d last 100 years they say) & holds a pint – complete with a plated cover w^d cost £5. 10. 0 – I think very cheap, for I have heard of similar articles costing £10. 0 – 0. If you w^d pay now, I think I could afford to buy it myself at the end of the year, only I have not money sufficient at this moment – and if you approve – I wish you w^d ask Bennett whether a pint is not the right quantity for it to hold – & whether the thickness of the Silver w^d be any objection on account of its taking a long time to boil – as long they say as a copper saucepan – but it has the advantage of retaining the heat for a length of time. – Thinner ones might be had, but I have taken a fancy to this one, because it is so like one I used to have in my nursery days – & it is so cheap too.

Lady Elisabeth ⁹ sent me a charming account of Rosamond & Matilda ¹⁰ yesterday – pray thank her for it – & assure M^lle Amélina ¹¹ hat I have had the greatest pleasure in executing her commission & hope she will approve –

Ela sends her love.
Yr affectionate

Constance.

Caroline talks of Monday for her journey as little Charles ¹² seems to be going on well, but she is overwhelmed with business & I don’t think she w[ill be] ready. –

H. Fox Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham