TALBOT4585

Duchess Street ¹
Monday Aug 22

My dear Henry

I am glad to hear from Ela ² that you are safely arrived at home – & I hope you are feeling tolerably well – now that the weather continues so cool & pleasant. – Shall you not think of making a little tour, now immediately, before Lady Elisabeth & Horatia ³ go to Lacock Abbey? – You half promised me you would do so during my absence – Remember dear Henry, your precious health, which you never take proper care of at home – for which reason you decided it would be best to avoid home for a bit. – I hope you are satisfied with all at home, & that you find my arrangement with Miss Cotton ⁴ to answer the purpose of keeping everything in comfortable order. – I paid you 2 visits in Sackville St. ⁵ which I suppose you heard of – I had nothing particular to say, – but rather thought I should like to see you, & assure you that I was taking due care of my health by going out in the carriage every day. – Dear Laura’s ⁶ state at present, is one of less suffering than it has been – She passes many hours of the day in a state of quietness & sleeps lightly when not tormented by her cough – The nourishment she takes is next to nothing – a few spoonsfull of thin arrowroot – or milk – and other liquids of a like nature taken from time to time is all that she has – scarcely enough, one should think to sustain life – She has still sufficient power just to leave her bed to have it made, but seems much exhausted afterwards – Her existence seems almost miraculous – but M^r Gilder ⁷ says she may still continue some time in this state – as long as she has the power of swallowing. – My Brother ⁸ left us last night to attend a meeting of the Magistrates today at Derby – to consider of the measures necessary for the preservation of the peace – He will return tomorrow or next day. – Will you thank Ela for the nice letter I had from her this morning! –

Your affectionate
Constance