TALBOT5062

Wednesday Sep^r 11
Markeaton ¹

My dear Henry

I arrived with our Chicks ² at our journey’s end at six o’clock and we were all glad to rest ourselves – for though everything was most prosperous & no delays occurred – we felt of course rather fatigued – I always think railway travelling is more fatiguing (while it lasts) than the common way – though the additional space makes it much less so to children – it is the noise I believe that I dislike – From Glocester I took our tickets through to Derby – & we were placed in one carriage expressly appropriated to Derby passengers – 1^st & 2^d class with the luggage on the roof – all let down together when we arrived at near the Birmingham station being first detached from the train – which is Where this detachment was effected, the railroad is raised on arches – and from this height the carriage was lowered by machinery (with all the passengers) to the level of the Derby line–³ so we had only the trouble of 2 changes namely Bristol & Glocester – Our companions were very goodnatured & pleasant people – particularly a lady who helped me to make a pillow for Charles’s head when he went to sleep – & assisted the children in various little ways while I nursed Charles – I found a letter waiting for me from Marian. – Her answer was what I expected – that she was married – that the fact was not announced – for that Mr Gilder ⁴ did not wish it to be talked of at first on account of his being obliged to continue his daily visits to patients in London – that his own servants knew nothing of it – that she was sorry my Brother ⁵ had been troubled about the settlements for she fancied it could make no difference to him – Apparently she does not feel what a material difference his interference might have made in her favour – He wrote on Monday to say he should send up his lawyer & desired her to name a day – to which kind proposal we expect her answer tomorrow. – All is now in M^r G’s power – but my Brother’s lawyer will point out strongly what is expected of him – She has made a sad blunder in not having the business settled before her marriage – She repeats that her anxious wish now is to see me as soon as I can go up to her – but my Brother does not wish me to fix a day till the legal business is settled – I have had long conversations both with him & Harriot ⁶ – I find that my Brother is anxious to assist her as far as he can under the circumstances – but without going up to see her – and Harriot has entreated him to announce it immediately to her Uncles & Aunts – & to avoid all further mystery –

Charles’s cough was bad by fits yesterday – as we came along – & my fellow travellers thought it sounded like Hooping cough. – For Harriot’s satisfaction & my own (for we dreaded the hooping cough for Noel) ⁷ and also for dear little Charles’ sake I thought it best to ask the Physician’s opinion at once – Accordingly he called this morning – & prescribed Ipecacuanha &c in much stronger doses than I should have given without orders – & desired me, to keep him in his own rooms for a few days – but to let him eat as usual – And he gave his opinion that it was not like Hooping cough – but irritation in the throat – and that there was no risk of Noel catching it if we kept them apart – So this is all satisfactory – and I hope he will be quite well again in a few days – He is quite merry & has the range of 4 rooms –

your affectionate
Constance –

Mr Frampton ⁸ wants to know from what Author you took the Motto of the Pencil of Nature ⁹–

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqr
31 Sackville Street
London