TALBOT4660

Champs Elysées 26
Dec^r 10^th 1842

My dear Henry

Did you ever get a long letter from Mlle Amélina ¹ some time ago, about the Patent? ² She explained in it how Something must be done before it was two years old, & other details; & is surprised you have never answered her – Perhaps the letter was lost – if so write at once & say so. At any write [sic] you may write to me & let me know what you are about, & how you all are at dear Laycock Abbey – I heard f^m Horatia ³ from Came Melbury, ⁴ & should have written to her at Came, if she had told me the Post Town; – do you know it? I hope Mamma ⁵ will get the letter I wrote ab^t Valletort ⁶ – as she does not set out till 1^st Jan^y we thought it better he sh^d come straight to us, if she could spare Wright ⁷ to bring him to the water’s edge, or across even, w^h w^d be still better – & David w^d meet him – but what I am most anxious for is that he sh^d not be travelling on X^mas day – but either with me or at Melbury. – Ernest ⁸ is much better hitherto since he has been under the care of D^r Miller; ⁹ if the benefit only lasts! His right hand which has been stiffened for nearly 5 years in this position: [illustration] he can now straighten as much as this: [illustration] more even than I have drawn – his feet are also better – & on the whole he feels well. – Charlie ¹⁰ is very flourishing – but very unlettered jusqu’ici. ¹¹ – There is going to be a great Bazaar for the Poles at the end of the year – at which I have promised to sell at P^ss Czartoriska’s ¹² stall. – Jane ¹³ is very much improved in walking since she has been at Paris; tho’ she still uses crutches to go up & down stairs – We have seen a good deal of her tho’ she lives a long way off in the Rue de Rivoli – & she has dined with us several times – I am so fond of her, & always was. – Her Daughter Lucy ¹⁴ is very pleasing & has actually attained the legal age for coming out – How time does fly! – Give my love to Constance & the little ones, ¹⁵ to whom Charlie likewise sends his – & do write something to Amandier, because she feels perplexed, & knows not what to do –

Y^rs very aff^ly
Caroline

Charlie also sends a great many kisses “to them all”. –

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts