TALBOT4475

Lacock,
31^st March 1842

My Dear Horatia,

In about a fortnight I believe I shall be ready to set off, so that I hope to bring you safe home by the end of May. The journey itself I look forward to with pleasure, especially with the prospect of its being of essential use to you, but I wonder that with your penetration you do not perceive that it is business which impedes me, and those odious things which are called “affairs.”

The Moores ¹ came here today for the first time in six months – Russell ² is expected home from India very soon – Tom ³ has sold his commission & is not going on well. Ela ⁴ has much recovered but is yet a long way from her good looks – Yesterday she drove to Sloperton ⁵ in an open carriage & enjoyed it much. Ros. & Matilda ⁶ are very flourishing, & the babe ⁷ is going on well. His name, as my mother ⁸ has already told you, is to be Charles Henry, the baptism took place a little while ago, but the real Christening is deferred till Summer – L^y Lansdowne ⁹ is to be godmother, & Kit ¹⁰ one of the godfathers. My mother, after much doubt & hesitation has given up her visit to the wilds of Glamorganshire, on account of the distance and difficulty of the journey and the bad account of the inns on the road received from those who have travelled there.

Spring has commenced here, in your garden the hyacinths are in flower & look gay. In other spots we have narcissus, daffodil, anemone, primroses, Ribes sanguineum, & many more. Every day now produces a perceptible advance & the early shrubs are coming into leaf. The weather remarkably boisterous & stormy for a long time past. Is not Caroline ¹¹ preparing to come home for her waiting? I thought the Roaster was as immutable as the laws of the Medes & Persians. Constance ¹² has pretty nearly recovered her strength & she hails the return of spring with much satisfaction. I intend going by way of Frankfort & paying W^{m 13} a morning visit.

I shall bring no carriage so you had better look out for one to purchase & sell again at the journey’s end – or hire one to be left at some town on the Rhine for once arrived there it is not necessary, steam boats & railroads being found during the remainder of the journey, with exception of very few miles. A chariot is the best description of vehicle, let it be strong but not heavy, solid but not showy, & worth its price to sell again. Pray tell Amici ¹⁴ it will give me much pleasure to renew my acquaintance which began with a letter from me to him from Nice in 1821. I am much flattered that my name should have reached the ears of the Grand Duke, ¹⁵ as you mention. I will write again soon & let you know my plans when more matured. Give my love to Caroline and all hers,

Your aff^te Henry

à Mademoiselle
Mademoiselle Feilding

chez Madame la Comtesse de
Mount Edgcumbe
poste restante
Florence
Italy