TALBOT5490

Lacock Abbey
Tuesday Dec 23^d

My dear Henry

I guessed that there was an especial meaning in the number three. Thanks many times for that and the ‘Cricket’. – Your étrennes ¹ are on a splendid scale this year. – I think the Gutta Perca,[sic] very curious – it reminds me in some degree of India Rubber both in appearance & smell. – I shall assemble the children & try the experiments of the boiling water for the general amusement – What use do they propose to make of this substance? – Lady Elisabeth ² & Horatia ³ are just gone to Bowood ⁴ –I asked them to leave your present of pictures at M^r Sotheron’s ⁵ en passant ⁶ – for the weather was much too bad for our farming amusement yesterday. – Hor & I called at Mr Beckett’s ⁷ today, & said civil things about his approaching departure. – He seemed rather joyful than otherwise on the occasion – as this place has never agreed with his health or Mrs Beckett’s or the children’s – He spoke of M^r Bridges ⁸ & M^r Bowerbank ⁹ & seemed to have formed a favorable opinion of both. – He is still going to present the Table ¹⁰ & it will be used for the first time on Xmas day. He wishes to be off in a fortnight but will stay to initiate his successor in the duties of the Parish & introduce him to the Parishioners. – I am certain the next clergyman will fall short of his zeal & activity – but perhaps he may suit our tastes better. ¹¹

Lady Elisabeth desired me to tell you that she has fixed to go to Brighton on the 8^th Jan. – She wants to know whether you will be ready to meet her there at that time – and I too shall be glad to have a little notice if you mean to move your family. – Lady E. intends to go to an hotel in the first instance & chuse a house for herself. – All this she tells me is her present scheme – but of course is subject to change. She says it partly hangs on your proceedings –

Yours affectionate
Constance

I hope to get Mary Fitzmaurice one day to play with our children & to sleep if Lady Lansdowne can spare her-¹²