TALBOT5755

Lacock Abbey
Tuesday Oct. 20^th

My dear Henry

I was delighted with your letter from Coblentz of the 9 10^th received this morning – & I was very glad to find that you had at last received a letter from me – I have since written twice – to Coblentz on the 13^th, ¹ – & to Bruges on the 18^{th 2} – And I have received from you all the letters you mention – & have been very much interested by your rapid journey – I am especially glad you have had better weather than ours – but though we seem to have had more rain, I think we have had more sunshine – often a combination of the two.– I should have liked to eat grapes with you on the Moselle & to scramble to the castle of Ely & gather those curious fungi in the Forest – and I am very glad your town has answered your object in improving your health, & has afforded you a reasonable share of enjoyment. – more a great deal, than I thought you could have had – I am happy to tell you that you need not hurry home on account of business – I sent a special messenger to M^r Awdry ³ as soon as I had your letter this morning & received the following answer – “I am not aware of any business which requires M^r Talbot’s immediate attention The packet to which he refers, relates to the deviation of Wick Lane about which there was a meeting yesterday – & which I attended – I presume you have told M^r Talbot that M^r Mundy ⁴ signed the Exchange Deed. ⁵ if he wishes me to get it signed by M^r Mansel Talbot ⁶ I will be obliged by his giving me a Note of introduction to him – The packets which you have received from me need not be forwarded. I was not aware he was out of England when I sent it.”–

Very few fresh letters come in for you now to swell the heap which is already large enough – Horatia ⁷ asks for news of you – I must write & tell her – Lady Lansdowne ⁸ is looking very well. I have been to see her today – & found her alone & had a very nice comfortable chat with her – Luncheon was just over & she was preparing for her drive – They have been at Windsor since their return & came back only yesterday & today they are expecting L^d & Lady Holland, ⁹ & M^r Moore ¹⁰ is to meet them – Lord Ebrington ¹¹ is there – I met Lord L. ¹² & him setting out for their ride – Little Clanmaurice ¹³ is still at Broadstairs & is to remain a fortnight longer – he is already much better, but Lady L. told me he had been as ill as possible – & made them all very uneasy – The Baby ¹⁴ she says is very strong & well – If you go through Paris, will you be so kind as to remember our commissions, particularly the Grains de Sante! – We have also a little business at M Philipou’s – Maison Aubert Place de la Bourse – if you feel inclined to make it a motive for calling upon him – It is this – We are desirous of receiving regularly the ‘Modes Parisiennes’ published by him, either monthly or otherwise – M^lle A. ¹⁵ is acquainted with the lady who edits it – & has written to her within the last few days to put me down as a regular Subscriber – therefore if you like to call & ask whether this is done you can – if not it is of no consequence.– All our children ¹⁶ are now pretty well – & Matilda almost herself again – M^lle A is still souffrante ¹⁷ – I believe she is not yet acclimatée – & perhaps she will be stronger & better next year – She has now a cold & suffers from a sore mouth.

I suppose this is the last letter you will expect from me – as your return cannot be far distant. –

Your affectionate
Constance