TALBOT5983

Lacock Abbey Tuesday
August 24^th

My dear Henry

I will take the chance of a second letter reaching you at Frankfort, as yours from Baden of the 17^th just received, gives me no other address. – Since you wrote to me from Zurich on the 5^th we have only received one letter, that to Ros^d containing 2 little pictures – It intimated that you had returned to Zurich, but the date being the same as the former ones we have felt quite in the dark as to your proceedings – and now I cannot calculate about these present lines reaching you at Frankfort – though probably Uncle William’s hospitality will keep you there a few days – I therefore take the chance, as I do not like you to be expecting news from home & fidgetting about us – We are all improving in health; Ela’s rheumatism has been tedious & discomforting to here, but not severe – and now she is able to walk out a little on mild days – the weather has continued all along since you left us too variable to suit delicate persons – You complain of heat, & when your letter arrives, we are complaining of cold. Just now it is very fine again & pleasant, – a nice fresh air with bright sun – and the nights are frosty. Wasps have abounded so much that we have been forced for several days past to sit with closed windows – for on opening them dozens of them flew in – It is the same all over this part of the country – even the cottagers complain – yet none of us have been stung. – Our figs are delicious – we have been eating them for the last ten days – apricots & plums very good and the peaches almost ripe. – Aunt Matilda came as I told you in my last & when she left us the beginning of last week, Horatia set off for Cowes – She writes word how much she enjoyed the regatta, fireworks &c & I suppose she will regret coming away – which Caroline is to do next Saturday – Hor. does not intimate what her own plans are – but she says Lord M^t E. talks of setting off in the a fortnight for Aix la Chapelle & has nearly decided on Palermo for the winter – H. is to go with them & she tries to persuade me to speak to you about going too. I answer that I don’t know that your engagements will admit of it – though I dare ^say you w^d like Palermo as a winter residence – Horatia herself w^d have preferred Rome. My Brother has been down to Markeaton – but after a few days he found his eyes worse (from catching cold I believe) & was obliged to return immediately to London & there they are still – but Noel remains at Markeaton. – I had to send Evans to Mansfield H. to receive back the Inventory from M^rs Thomas, who has just left L^d M^t E.’s service. – I have engaged a housekeeper for ourselves & Evans will leave us in about three weeks – She behaved very well when I told her she was to go & said she was sorry. – I suppose Jones must be responsible for the furniture in Mansfield after Evans goes – all the department of the glass, lamps &c &c remains for him to attend to, on your return, as Evans knew nothing about it. – M^lle Amélina is a great deal better than she was last week – but she has suffered a good deal – Both she & I are greatly shocked buy the cruel fate of the poor Duchesse de P. – what an atrocious monster the Duke must be! – I am glad to see so much popular indignation pressing upon him. – Rosamond desired me to give you her love & many embraces for your letter et tous les autres vous embrassent aussi –

Your very affecte
Constance.