TALBOT480

Laycock abbey
29^th Dec^r

My Dear Henry

We returned here yesterday as it was my only chance of seeing Caroline ¹ between last august & next june – as the house at Melbury ² is so full at present that it could not hold us all. She is to be there about the middle of next Month, so if you pay your intended visit there you will meet her. From this She goes to visit Lady Pembroke ³ at Wilton, in her way to Melbury. We had a most disastrous journey the snow was so deep & the roads so slippery, Had I known what I was undertaking I think I should have remained at Melbury. I was only one day at Moreton, ⁴ they are going to Weymouth for change of air for my Sister ⁵ who is very poorly. Mary ⁶ has changed her mind & decided not to cross the Severn this winter. This disappoints me much. I conclude that Constance ⁷ has found even Sidmouth cold this severe weather. Bimbo ⁸ has succeeded to Ela ⁹ in the Confessional

aff^ly y^rs
E F

Harriot Mundy ¹⁰ was a week at Melbury, she is most unwieldy

The press of company at Melbury ends with Stavordale’s ¹¹ Birthday he comes of age the 9^th or 10^th I forget the day