TALBOT5149

Sunday –

My dear Henry

I write to you on a very little sheet as a set-off to the ponderous letters which it accompanies.

Ela ¹ thanks you very much for the little bottles – either or both of which she may apply if occasion requires – At present she is free from pain – only the gums remain tender. The old Pellitory ² although weakened by age, was certainly of use – and since yesterday about noon she has ceased to apply anything. I was glad you set off on Friday morning without communicating with us – else I must have told you that Matilda ³ had had a sad ear ache since 4 o’clock in the morning. We all gathered round her to see what could be done with poulticing &c – and the thing which succeeded in curing her was a fomentation of herbs – poppy, cammomile [sic] &c M^r Kenrick ⁴ has seen them both today & says They those were neuralgic pains – and all we can do now is to keep them again in their room – and to hope that whenever the weather does become really warm they will get about again without these frequent relapses – This one has thrown them back sadly, particularly poor Ela – You will have seen Caroline ⁵ & heard that she intends spending a day with us on her return this week to M^t Edgcumbe ⁶. Whether we are to expect her Tuesday or Wednesday appears doubtful.

y^r aff^te
Constance