TALBOT5517

Lacock Abbey
Friday 13^th

My dear Henry

M^r Condy ¹ is getting on beautifully with his picture in spite of the cold - and though today is actually the first that he has allowed himself to paint within doors - I told him yesterday I thought we should certainly have to nurse him in a fit of the gout if he persevered - He was out also today - but only for a short time - On Monday Lady Elisabeth ² means to take him to see the pictures at Bowood ³ - He told me that the Editors of the Baronial Halls ⁴ after publishing in their first numbers - Penshurst & Blickling had applied for leave to take Cothele - but that he M^r Condy had told them that would interfere with his publication ⁵ - whereupon they asked him to point out some other place of interest, affording views of Interiors as well as a handsome exterior & possessing some historical interest. - M^r Condy wishes to recommend Lacock Abbey to their notice as combining all these requisites - And Lady Elisabeth thinks you would like to have it figured among the ancient Baronial Halls - She desired me to ask you if you were of the same opinion - and if you would like to name any time when the intrusion of their artist would not annoy you - He would not molest you at all unless you happened to be yourself busy in the Cloisters & disliked seeing a man sketching. -

Lord M^t Edgcumbe ⁶ had fixed to come tomorrow & sleep here, but he has prudently given it up. Lady Louisa & M^r Howard ⁷ staid till today - She seemed to enjoy her visit extremely - I did not like him quite so much as before - he was too much préoccupé, to be as generally agreeable. I joined them with Horatia ⁸ in famous walks each day, notwithstanding the cold - But today the wind was too keen for any of us except Lady Elisabeth - She actually went out - though she thought it too bad a day for going to Bath, as we had fixed last night - I am afraid you continue to find London very dark - & that it will hinder your operations -

Your affectionate
Constance -