TALBOT4404

[The envelope for this letter is in a private collection:]
Henry Fox Talbot E^r.
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts

_________________

Melbury ¹
31^st Dec^r

My Dear Henry

What you say of J. H. ² reminds me of what D^r Johnson ³ said on another occasion, “Diligence produces success, success begets Indifference and Negligence ruins that reputation which accuracy had raised” – If the Abbey feels cold it is the fault of the inhabitants because I know by experience it can be made warm in much worse weather than this. I have not stirred out of the house since I was at Church last Sunday, it has been always dark & foggy since the bright day you went away. They write from London that they are using Candles at Noon, as usual at this Season. When you read Horatia’s ⁴ letter you will see I have some cause to be uneasy for Annie’s fever seems to be of the same sort as Noel’s ⁵ and Harriot’s ⁶ – as if Florence was inimical to the English this year.

Shew the letter to Constance ⁷

Aff^ly y^rs
E F

If the robbers are known why does are they not taken up? I hope our Police is not inefficient. It makes me long to be at home to help to defend the Abbey – was it true about the 4 Men?