TALBOT6407

[fragment? - the lack of a signature is not typical of WHFT's letters to his wife]

London April 30^th
[added in another hand: 1851]

My Dear Constance

I wish you to order the harness as you propose, and perhaps it will be ready by the time we set off. The weather was most inclement yesterday for my journey, and the cold was piercing – I was very glad you were not travelling that day. To add to which, the train was ¾ hour too late at Chippenham, & by the time we reached London the retard had increased to an hour and a quarter – The train was of immense length and proportionable confusion ensued respecting luggage. I never saw London streets so completely flooded, there must have been a furious storm here in the middle of the day.

Today is sunshine and mild weather. I peeped in thro’ a window at the East End of the Crystal palace, ¹ and found myself in the territories of the United States, who ought rather to have been located in the Far West of the building. The perspective looked beautiful. Outside the building a chaotic confusion of packing cases straw and trampled mud. Crowds of people asking unnecessary questions of impatient policemen – Foreigners jabbering broken English, goodnatured Englishmen trying to interpret for them, but failing to understand.

I think you may take your choice of 2 routes ²

first route

Birmingham

Derby

Leeds

Skipton

Lancaster

second route

Birmingham

Shrewsbury

Chester

Manchester

Halifax

Skipton

Lancaster

If you like to see the exhibition, the best way would be to sleep at Windsor, whence there are constant trains to London, and I suppose Windsor will not be more crowded than usual.

[no signature or address panel]