TALBOT4970

Wednesday March 20^th

My dear Henry

This morning the post brought me the enclosed note & a book – a Birthday present for Rosamond ¹ from her godmother. ² It is the very book which you told me you had looked at & rejected, Mary Howitt’s ³ translation of the German & French stories – But as it is now presented to her I suppose you will like her to keep it & read it – She is extremely delighted with it – As you intend to see M^rs Nicholl, I think I need not write to thank her for it – because you can mention its safe arrival, & say how very much pleased her god-daughter is – Twelve stamps were affixed, but there should have been 38 to free the parcel – as it weighed above 13 oz – The postmistress has charged me 2/8 – the sum which should have been paid to free it – I imagine she ought to have deducted 6 ounces for the 12 stamps & charged me double postage for the remaining 8 ⁴ – This moment I perceive that she is right & I was wrong in my calculation – as 2/4 would have freed the parcel – Miss King ⁵ is literally overjoyed by my proposal & tomorrow I shall know her mother’s sentiments as I wrote to her yesterday – M^rs Moore ⁶ cannot come this week, having made other arrangements. –

I find from Humphries ⁷ that your seeds can have excellent shelter on the upper shelves of the Greenhouse – I should have sowed them today – I mean the Horticultural ones, if the morning had not turned off so showery after luncheon – In the early part we got a very pleasant walk – I want very much to hear that you are a little better – if not, that you have determined to have advice –

Your affectionate
Constance –

[envelope:]
H F Talbot Esq^r
31 Sackville Street
London