TALBOT4627

Centre house Knightstone ¹
October 21^st –

My dear Henry

I have heard it said that you were going to London about this time – but not knowing whether this be certainly true, I will enclose my letter to Lady Elisabeth ² & ask her to forward it if you should really have left Lacock. –

I have not yet ceased to lament your ill-fortune at Clifton ³ – for no day since has been anything like so foggy and the three last days have excelled in brilliancy any which I have noticed for a long time. –

The views in this neighbourhood are very extensive whenever we get upon high ground – and the extreme clearness of the atmosphere has made the three last drives particularly enjoyable although the air has been cold – one can scarcely expect the pleasure of a mild air & clear sky united at this time of year. Yesterday we went to Banwell Hill & admired the ornamental cottage & grounds belonging to the Bishop of Bath & Wells ⁴ – But the view from the top of the hill where he has erected a column is most enchanting. – You would have found the air there sufficiently pure & bracing! – I could not bear it for many moments, but quickly descended to rejoin Marian ⁵ on a lower part of the grounds – We continue to like our situation on the Knightstone – The Weston guide informs us that it was formerly a solitary rock an Island at high water & that the late Dr Fox ⁶ the eminent physician of Brislington availed himself of its peculiar advantages to construct the Bathing establishment & three lodging houses thereon, & built a causeway to connect it with the strand. – The centre house we find much more convenient than the upper one which we first occupied – We have had various annoyances from smoke, cold, &c &c even in the second house; but are now getting over them all & feeling a little more settled. – I think the place seems to agree with us all – Baby ⁷ has a cold which has kept him at home the last few days – but is otherwise well – only tormented with his teeth. – You recollect I dare say, that we talked of having a third person in the Nursery some time since when Neesham ⁸ was ill from over fatigue – & that when she became better, she wished to try again how she could get on without this addition – because she said she disliked having many people about her – The trial was made, & I found that the exertion was again upsetting her owing to many nights’ waking – so I told her at once that we would have another person to assist while Baby continued to be so troublesome – She knew a young woman whom she could strongly recommend & I therefore desired her to write immediately for her to come – and she is arrived today. – I am sure you will approve for my sake as well as Baby’s – for I was extremely annoyed when I found things taking such an uncomfortable turn. – I cannot bear to hear a child of mine crying & fretting – while the Nurse laments & exclaims in despair, Oh what shall I do with this child! – Now I hope I shall hear nothing of that sort as one of the three Nurses may be certain of a good night’s rest in turn. – I have scarcely had a glimpse of the new woman’s countenance yet, but her voice appeared to be that of a good humored & lively person – There are many pretty shells to be found here which delight the children ⁹very much –

Saturday. – Since writing this letter (last night) – the weather has changed from sunshine to a violent storm of wind & rain – All our rooms smoke except the Drawing room & Marian’s bed room! –

Y^r aff^te
Constance

H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
31 Sackville Street
London ¹⁰