TALBOT6499

Lacock Abbey
Sunday Nov 2^d.
1851 [in another hand]

My dear Henry

We reached home safely yesterday a little before eight – having accomplished the whole distance from Gloster [sic] in one day. – about 40 miles, which was the longest distance of all – I hear that the horses appear tired today, but not otherwise the worse for their pilgrimage of ten days – Our Coachman from Grasmere is a brother of M^r. Brown – and we found him very civil, intelligent & accommodating. I believe he will start on his return tomorrow – We were not able to stop & see Charles – we had not time to deviate out of our direct road, nor could the horses have done any extra work – and it was much too late when we reached Gloster to take a fly to see him – Luckily I had not promised, but only said to Mrs. Williams, (in answer to an invitation from her to sleep there) that we would call if we possibly could. Charles was to hear nothing about it – We took the road from Hereford through Ross instead of Ledbury, as the distance was the same – Very bad Hotels at most of the Towns we slept at – dirty & small & often ill waited upon. But the beds better than formerly. We have seen many interesting things, especially the Castle of Ludlow and now we feel quite like Queens & princesses in our Palace of Lacock – They welcomed us home with a merry peal of bells, which rejoiced our hearts. M^r. Vardon¹ is greatly impressed with the beauty & majesty of the Abbey, both inside & out – I hope he will make some good sketches of it –

I found a letter from M^r. Gairford asking me to fix a time for him to come & pay us a short visit before he starts for the Continent – on the 1^st. Dec^r. – He says he mentioned to you that he should wish to come here in the course of the Autumn with Wright to assist in removing some things. – and that M^r. J. Strangways would spare Wright for a few days provided he had a week’s notice. – To this I will make no reply till I hear from you – as I consider it essential that you should be here at the same time – that a final understanding & settling of all things may be the result of his visit – Therefore you must tell me what to answer in regard to time.

M^lle. Amélina is really improved by her journey – she has seen M^r. Kenrick today, & he encourages her to hope she will soon be as well as usual. –

Will you forward this letter to Sir David’s address – it came yesterday –

Your affectionate
Constance.

I also found a letter from M^r. Green, apologising for his omission & acknowledging the receipt of your note & enclosure –