TALBOT5102

Lacock Abbey
Sunday October 13^th

My dear Henry

I received your letter from Jedburgh yesterday ¹– it was 3 days on the road which I think rather long in these days of steam conveyance – I was afraid the dark weather would be a sad hindrance to you – but as the environs of Jedburgh are so pretty as you describe them, I dare say you filled up your time well. If the "deep vallies watered by rural streams" pleased you in gloomy weather how charming they would appear under brighter circumstances! and I think that is the kind of scenery you would like to fix in for your summer residence – Shall we all go there next year if the Belgian scheme should fail? – You have a nice opportunity during this tour for looking about & perhaps you may chance to meet with something attractive – I suppose Uncle John ² is not singular in his taste – & he has found a paradise – I am so sorry you grew seriously anxious about us all – when nothing could be more prosperous than our state and all well at Mount Edgcumbe ³ too – with the exception indeed of L^d M^t E. ⁴ I had letters today from Caroline & Lady Elisabeth ⁵– who was going back to M^t Edgcumbe yesterday – Caroline’s I will send for your perusal – Lady Elisabeth says the storm at Carclew ⁶ on Wednesday was tremendous – a window of the Library & one in the Dining room were blown in & several large Spanish Chesnuts blown down – The Lansdownes ⁷ were as fortunate at Louis Philippe ⁸ in having crossed just before – I must go soon I suppose & enquire how they all are at Bowood ⁹– Lord L was rather lucky to be in time for the grand ceremony at Windsor on Friday. Lady Elisabeth says "I have heard the whole history of Louisa F[?] from Sir C. ¹⁰ – Moreton is a deplorable house now – only 3 people in it, often only 2 – and never meeting or speaking to each other – or else Charlton & his Father¹¹ making a sort of party against Louisa, who is however often in the wrong from temper & exasperation" – Can you imagine anything so uncomfortable? – I am quite curious to hear the explanation – it seems so very strange –

We are all as florishing [sic] as when I wrote last. My 2^d letter to Edinburgh ¹² was despatched on Thursday –

Your affectionate
Constance.

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
post office
Edinburgh