TALBOT4881

Cotehele House
Calstock
Tavistock
Tuesday 23 March

My Dear Charles

I found a letter from you awaiting my arrival. It is not at all worth while to write to Munich for the letter, as it contained nothing of importance. I am not surprised that D^r Crum Brown’s ¹ lecture at the R. I. ² fail’d to interest you – I know him of old and his papers on Chemistry at the meetings of the Edinbro’ R. Soc^{y 3} Sir D. Brewster ⁴ & I used to agree that we did not understand a word of it & Sir D. used to lament that he had to sit in the Chair as President, and “return thanks” in the name of the meeting, and I used to say “Why not limit the papers to half an hour?” & he used to reply certainly it ought to be done. –

Caroline & Ernestine ⁵ are well, & I delivered your message, that you sent your love – They were surprised to hear you were in Town, supposing you at Venice. I had a very cold journey from Lacock, the drive from Plymouth here (16 miles) is long, & over a for the most part bleak and hilly country. This house is delightful – it is almost all really ancient only a few modern indispensable improvements.

Post is going so I must end. I return to Lacock Saturday & shall stay there a few days – hardly a week.

I met M^rs Traherne ⁶ by accident at Bristol railway station.

Your aff^te
Father