TALBOT557

4 Circus
March 2^d 1876

My dear Henry

A post card from Monie ¹ (Paddington, 5 O’clock) reported her arrival there after a quiet & rather chilly journey – Much water out, especially near Reading & Maidenhead. I expect she will enjoy her week’s visit to the Speddings ² – & I wish she may have one or two fine days: but the weather has deteriorated since Monday which was like May day. – It was so charming I sunned myself in the garden for about ten minutes, admiring the crocusses and a beautiful rose-colored Rhododendron – in the centre bed – You know we intended to have had all early bloomers in that clump – but they turned out differently – though I remember they are all pretty: and last year we saw them in perfection before leaving in May – It strikes me that the lilacs & other things are earlier than usual in putting forth their green buds – There is fear of the possible Spring frosts cutting off such early foliage, but it is very pretty to see – & makes one feel that the winter is over.

Matilda ³ writes that they are all well at Dabton ⁴ – and they had been spending a day at Speddoch. ⁵ bringing away violets & early things that were much forwarder than at Dabton: the reverse of what used to be. How can you explain this? does it depend on the skill of the Speddoch gardener?

I wrote a few days ago to offer our congratulations on the approaching marriage at Notton ⁶ – and enclosed is Lady Awdry’s ⁷ reply – I don’t want to keep the note – so please burn it when read. Charles ⁸ may perhaps like to see it.

You have kindly taken the trouble of forwarding some circulars which were addressed to me at Lacock – . but if you would allow them to accumulate to be sent in the weekly hamper by Knott ⁹ along with the other things in R^d’s parcel, I should prefer it – also the French fashions of which this is the envelope & which is despatched once every fortnight from Paris – Cox used to send it in the Lacock hamper. according to my own instructions. I don’t know why he acts differently now. Your Publisher seems to have been a long time delaying to send us the Atlantic Monthly ¹⁰ – yet I remember you told me you had ordered it. We have only had the 3 first of M^rs Kemble viz – August, Sept^r & Oct^r – I suppose they must again be out of print. –

Your affectionate
Constance

My cold is all but quite gone. –