TALBOT5196

Lacock Abbey
Feb 28.

My dear Henry

We are sadly grieved for poor Caroline’s ¹ bad cold and disappointed in not seeing her as we expected today. – Doubtless she followed your good advice & rejected Miss Murray’s ² about seeing D^r Ferguson ³ – and though her reluctance to send for him may be considered a sign of her feeling less ill than your letter seems to say, we are certain your advice was judicious – for her bad colds are generally worse than other people’s – I find it is decided that Horatia ⁴ should go up tomorrow to nurse & comfort her, unless we hear a much better report tomorrow either from herself or communicated by you – I think it is highly imprudent in Horatia to think of it, as they suppose Influenza to be catching – and even if she should not catch it from Caroline herself, she may get it some other way – if it is in the air – besides I think Lady Elisabeth ⁵ can ill spare both you & Horatia at the same time. I hope therefore she will change her mind in the morning.

Our weather yesterday was extremely heavy & oppressive – a white frost in the morning succeeded by a hot sun & ending in a haze – such as I can easily believe would produce the fog in London which you describe. – There is one thing to be said in favor of your thick yellow smoky atmosphere, that there is nothing unwholesome in it – particularly if one keeps within doors & therefore I should not dread them so much for the children ⁶ as you do – A rainy day like this, with a strong east wind is far worse, but as we have kept within doors even here – being in London would not have made much difference – Harriot & my Brother ⁷ went up yesterday – finding it necessary that Noel ⁸ should have advice – so that I am very much wishing now that you should accept Lady Elisabeth’s offer and thus give me the pleasure of their society – If Harriot discovers that Caroline is still there, she will be sure to go to her – but I wrote her word yesterday that C was coming down here today –

Your affectionate
Constance.