TALBOT5106

Sunday Oct 20^th

My dear Henry

I am greatly troubled by your long silence – I have heard nothing since Jedburgh ¹ – a week yesterday! – Since which I have written three times ² – Caroline ³ would not spare Lady Elisabeth ⁴ yesterday – but tomorrow I expect her – for the assurance that she is then positively coming has been thrice repeated – I hear that M^rs Damer ⁵ wrote in such an ambiguous manner that it does not clearly appear whether this week or the next is the time she proposes to come – & Lady Elisabeth has written to her to beg for an explanation – I hear she is also expected at Bowood – but they don’t know when – Lady Louisa ⁶ came to see me on Friday – which I liked very much as I had not carried into effect any idea of going over to them. – She gave an excellent account of Lord Lansdowne ⁷ but not a good one of her Mother ⁸ who suffers from Rheumatism more than ever. The Shelburnes ⁹ are there – Lady S ¹⁰ going on quite well but not feeling strong – We have had better weather some days since I wrote last – Friday in particular was very fine – scarcely a light shower throughout the day – and several days have been brighter before 12 – but ended in heavy darkness & violent showers –

Today I heard a strange discourse delivered in a strange manner by a strange clergyman – I haven’t yet made out who he is – The subject was miracles & means. He took occasion to say that the whole course of Nature was miraculous! –

Last night I was at Inverness with Prince Charles Edward – & fought the battle of Culloden – I took leave of him at his death & concluded my book by rejoicing over the improved state of the Highlands –

Pray do write a little oftener to your affectionate
Constance

All are well, as you will suppose by my not mentioning them. –

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r
Post Office
Edinburgh