TALBOT6716

Lacock Abbey
December 21

My dear Henry,

I availed myself of your permission – and have read Caroline’s amusing letter. – She confirms previous accounts of Lord M^t Edgcumbe’s improvement. I had not read the announcement of M^r Marsham’s death in the Times – consequently did not understand the meaning of her black seal – & I felt fidgeteed [sic] by it; otherwise I sh^d not have opened the letter.

I have just seen M^rs Matthews – she accepted with gratitude your contribution – M^r Matthews is considered decidedly stronger – but is still very exciteable [sic] – and she is advised to keep away from him as much as possible – because on seeing her, he always begins to talk about the Parish – She is anxious to see the next full moon pass without bringing on an attack, as the two previous ones did – She desired me to thank you particularly for y^r kindness – I venture to forward a letter with a Cambridge post mark, thinking it may be from D^r Whewell and not admitting of delay –

The amount of M^r Stokes acct. is £86 • 6 • 0

Fortune’s is – 74 • 7 • 9

Carey’s – 32 • 1 • 4

I am glad you had a pleasant journey and learnt so much country news from M^r Ravenhill – I remember meeting him at M^r Sotherow’s, one day that I dined there without you – He was very Zealous about the County Friendly Society –

Y^r aff^te
Constance

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq.
Athenæum Club
London