TALBOT4980

Laycock Abbey
Easter Sunday

My Dear Henry

Just one hour after your departure Caroline ¹ arrived with Valletort, ² who looks so very ill I was quite shocked. She thought it best he should remain here a day to rest, so we do not depart till tomorrow. a French author has been quoted in the H. of Commons, on the subject of the Factory bill, ³ – [illegible] says “On peut déclamer sur ce sujet, on peut demander au Pouvoir de prevenir tous les Malheurs comme aux Medecins de guerir toutes les Maladies, mais il n’en resulter a aucune amélioration du sort des Ouvriers. Le Bien est ordinairement plus difficile à faire qu’on ne pense”. ⁴

In fact nothing is more difficult than to do good [illegible deletion] injuring others with judgement & without injuring others, almost impossible in a complicated state of society like ours.

I hope Claudet will see in the same light so many others do. a clear distinct name would be a positive benefit to the Art; ⁵ Shakspear [sic] says what’s in a name? I answer a great deal, in modern times. I said so when you christened the Hermes. ⁶ I wish I had been its Godmother!

Aff^ly Y^rs
E F

Since writing the above all our plans are changed, as Caroline will have told you

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Es^r
31. Sackville Street
London