TALBOT4659

Came House,¹
Dorchester.
9^th December

My Dear Henry

Your Uncle Ilchester ² desires me to say that he shall have room for you at Melbury, ³ & if he had not he would make it, as he is much pleased at the idea of your coming. He is now at Abbotsbury, ⁴ & returns to Melbury for the Season on Saturday the 17^th – We have had the densest fog ever since we have been here, & have not once been able to see a yard from the windows, which as it is a very ugly place is the less to be regretted. au reste ⁵ the charms of this house are in the inside as it is very gay & agreeable.

Let me know when you think of coming Dorset-wise & we may perhaps return together, as I must settle my Xmas business at L. Abbey before I can start for Paris –.

Aff^ly yours
E F

The fame of the christening the beauty of the South gallery lit up, & of the infant Hercules,⁶ had spread into these parts before I came – so rapid is Rumour with her hundred tongues

[envelope - wax seal on verso:] Came Dorchester
Henry Fox Talbot Es^re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts