TALBOT5829

Lacock Abbey

Sunday –

My dear Henry

We all escaped cold I believe at the performance at Chippenham – but M^lle A ¹ was a little rhumatic <sic> next day – owing to the quantity of damp air we were obliged to admit into the carriage coming home to prevent the children ² from being ill – They are wonderfully bad travellers: – but I was every bit as bad at their age – and now I never think of such a thing – So there are hopes for them. – We saw all the State carriages in M^r Lawes’s ³ stable yard – and about a dozen camels with their Eastern attendants. – I assure you all the children enjoyed their treat extremely & Charles has talked about it a great deal since – I don’t think he was the least wearied by the length of the spectacle – but would have gazed as long as his eyes could serve. –

He sends his love to you and bids me describe how he is at this moment engaged – he is sticking Peacock’s feathers all about my room & decorated <sic> the armoires –

We have had charming weather today & yesterday – no rain till quite late. Perhaps it may have been pouring at Chippenham – for on Friday it rained here scarcely at all – & you know what it was there – At Bath too it was quite as wet – Horatia ⁴ came back by a later train – and gave an improved account of L^d M^t E. ⁵ Today also she has heard from him – & he says he is as much better as he can be – but you will hear the latest news of him from Caroline ⁶ –

I will attend to your various directions – Yesterday when I went to look at the greenhouse I was disappointed with its general effect, as to beauty. – There is so much brickwork & it looks low at the back – owing to the very gentle slope. – but I have no doubt – the plants will grow as well as if its architectural proportions were more correct –

How does the establishment proceed? –

Your affectionate

Constance –