TALBOT5979

Lacock Abbey Tuesday

July 27. –

My dear Henry

I have today received your letter from Folkestone of Saturday night – I have written as you directed & enclosed your letter to Lady Sligo – In regard to those _^^letters which you wish forwarded, I will do for the future as you desire – but I have unluckily already sent six (in 2 parcels) to the Athenæum since I heard last from you – because I thought you might probably have postponed your journey a few days & so have received them before you set out. –

My Brother & his party arrived in London Saturday – having crossed from Dieppe to

< illeg> Brighton on Friday – Altogether they performed their journey more rapidly & prosperously than I had expected. Marian wrote me a hurried scrap after she saw them yesterday, to mention their arrival – & that my Brother looks less ill than she expected. Harriot is tolerably well only – but Noel she says is much grown and looks extremely well. – She had not time to give me Alexander’s opinion of my Brother’s eyes –

Horatia is going to Cowes for a little while – under the chaperonage of M^rs Gent – that is she is to be in the same hôtel – Whether the Mout Edgcumbes are going to take a house or not I don’t quite know, but they are to remain there a little while. – I dare say you know L^d M^t E. sent for the children about a week ago – Horatia staid at Bowood till Saturday & tomorrow she is going to drive over & take leave of them as L^d & Lady L. start the day after. I took the children with me last week when I called on Lady Lansdowne. – They enjoyed it very much & we called to see Miss King afterwards – M^lle A. has been only middling in health – and all the rest of us are very well. – The weather is delightful here now – hot in the Sun part of the day – but the air cool & plenty of it – I hope you are enjoying it and don’t think it too bright. –

y^r aff^te

Constance.