TALBOT6482

Grasmere
Friday Oct 17^th.
1851 [in another hand]

My dear Henry

Thanks for your letter just received, enclosing a route by Chester & Ludlow – I waited till I could learn whether M^r. Brown would lend me a Road Book, before writing. He sent one yesterday – and after some puzzling among the Cross roads, I made out the distances – and have just compared them with yours – I see I am very nearly right; – in fact the variation of ½ a mile or so, is not of consequence as _^^we shall not pay by the number of miles – I think the whole distance (owing to the deviation by Chester Lu) is more than M^r. B’s calculation; therefore he will probably raise his charge a little – but I shall see him this morning & settle everything & get him to sign an agreement – He will lend me Paterson as far as Lacock: – I will write again before we start; we are preparing for Wednesday 22^d. but will take leave to stay till Thursday, if Wed. should be deplorably wet – Last Wednesday was cold & wet & uncomfortable, but not so bad here as you describe – I was able to drive out for the good of the horses & to do a little business at Ambleside on that day –

I have enquired of M^r. Green Sen^r. whether his son received the £7 – He does not know, but is writing to him today, & will ask him –

I am very glad Sir David & his daughter mean to pay us a visit at Lacock- ¹ and I am very glad you met with him at last & that he has undertaken to plague the Executive committee. – What do you think of the Arctic Balloon which fell at Gloucester? ²

I really think we shall have to sleep ten nights on the road. any how – If we make a deviation by Furness, it will add an 11^th.

We are going to talk to M^r. B. about the expediency of the Coniston road to Broughton & Dalton, as it passes through the valley of the Duddon –

Your affectionate
Constance