TALBOT4423

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

___________

[Fragment? Lady Elisabeth often left her letters to her son unsigned.]

Melbury ¹
12^th Jan^y

My Dear Henry

I am put off from Moreton ² till Friday, I stay there till the Wednesday following so pray direct to me accordingly. I enclose my last Letter from Florence keep it till I come, but write & give me your animadversions upon it. John ³ says the difference between those two constellations is the same as between a pair of Shoes and Boots Is he right? He is on the wing for Margam, ⁴ & intends assorting at a County ball at Pyle Inn which Ly Charlotte ⁵ patronizes I intend being with you Samedi en huit ⁶ - I am tired of wandering & have 1000 things to do auprès de mes Pénates. ⁷ I see there has been another robbery at Seend what are the Police about? Mary ⁸ was so importunate I gave her some of my Calotypes, the picture of me in a x band gown, ⁹ The Soliloquy of a Broom, ¹⁰ & the Hayrick with Porter, ¹¹ & also the façade of Carclew ¹² & the View of the North Court ¹³ from my window when the the two tall Elm trees were standing She wanted them for M^r Lewellyn ¹⁴ [sic] who takes a great interest & wants to learn. He already does the Daguerrotype but I suppose is disgusted with its clumsiness & want of veracity, turning right things left &c