TALBOT5454

Friday Dec^r 1^st

My dear Henry

These two letters are the only ones that have come for you –¹ Yesterday & today have been so very dark that Nichole ² has done nothing with the Camera though I believe he has been very busy other ways – and I saw the frames taking copies – Till yesterday the weather was very bright – I have seen the negatives of the Spanish views - & I thought they looked promising–³ I observed he had taken 2 of each subject, varying a little in depth of tint. – I have composed a little frame with the 4 first lines of the “Last rose of Summer” & it is now waiting for brighter weather.–⁴

Lady Elisabeth ⁵ & Horatia ⁶ came home on Wednesday – they left Miss Fox & Lady Kerry ⁷ en tête à tête ⁸ – Lady Lansdowne ⁹ having set off this morning to join Lord L ¹⁰ at Brighton – & Lady Louisa gone the day before to Melbury ¹¹ for change of air.

They are getting quite fidgetty for the arrival of the Shelburns¹² – Though I believe they cannot be expected at the Soonest under a fortnight.

Till their arrival, the rest of the family seem to be at a loss what to do with themselves, as they do not mean to have any company at Bowood ¹³ till after they are quite acquainted with Lady S – & Lord Lansdowne seems ennuyé ¹⁴ with Brighton, though he has been urged by Sir B. Brodie ¹⁵ to give the baths a fair trial for his arm. –

I am afraid you will find Marian ¹⁶ very far from well – perhaps indeed scarcely equal to see you – if you should have time to go to Wimpole St ¹⁷ – She told me in her last letter that she meant to have other advice if she did not begin to get better very soon – and I have written to advise this mostly strongly without further delay –

Y^r affectionate
Constance

All are well at Lacock –