TALBOT4534

[The inner sheet (four folds) with the beginning of the letter is in a private collection; the outer sheet with the address is in the British Library].

Laycock Abbey Thursday

21 March

My Dear Henry

A violent Snow Storm keeping me sub testo, I take up my pen as they say, to thank you for your account of the scene in the H. of Commons, which was so descriptive I feel as if I had seen it, and it amused us much.

The Stone Coffin was so heavy it was quite as much as seven Men (including Lord V. M^r F. & Fitzsimmon) could do to lift it up with a rope. M^r Spencer has examined the Bones, which I desired him, because is a very good anatomist, and he pronounces them to be those of a Man. and Horatia says there can be little doubt it is one of Ela's Sons, who were both buried here. It was often [ill. del.] obtained at great price, the privilege of being laid in such holy ground.

Caroline says she is going to write to you, but perhaps will not have time - as she is doing a most elaborate Drawing for me, to leave as a souvenier, & is at this moment gone to to a Lesson of omelettes aux fines herbs, of Delorme, in case they should be (as you & I were at Coblentz) at some place in their travels where nothing is to be found but Eggs. This is a very prudent measure of precaution, as I do not think their new Servant is much in the Courier line (the Couriers can always cook enough to prevent one's being starved). He is a native of Ancona, & was some time Amenuensis to the Duke of Hamilton.

Caroline desires me now to tell you not to bring yourself or leave unfulfilled your Parliamentary duties because Lord V. has very kindly consented to let her stay here till the 8^th he himself being obliged to be in London next Saturday. The Pyr. Japon. has been in blow there 5 or 6 weeks ¹-

[From the fragment in British Library:]

M^r Spencer had no reason for thinking it was a man but the size of the bones, they were so much decomposed that was the only indice. Mais je me plais á imaginer ² that it was some portly Abbess who ruled her Convent with a high hand, qui que Femme hommasse. ³

I think of putting you & C. ⁴ in the two contig. Rooms, M^r. Redding's & your Library, till Caroline ⁵ goes. Or would you prefer the Confessional but then which should be your Dressing room The Tapestry dressing room (opposite me) is likewise vacant. When you have reflected on all this, let me know -

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r M. P.
31 Sackville Street
London