TALBOT6830

[fragment]

Ab^{y 1}
Monday Ev^g

My dear Henry

My grateful thanks are due, for your kind Cadeau which I value much & contemplate with interest, & anxiety to be more au fait of their scientific production when the elements permit our meeting a few questions kindly answer’d I hope may enlighten me,² a beautiful fire awaited your arrival on the expected day, but weather was so adverse I could not suppose you rash enough to start & now we are sadly dreary, & Beach cover’d with Snow, & now freezing hard, sad weather for travelling, & John ³ I believe to be on his road hitherward, but hope he will sleep at Dorchester last tidings from our Travellers is, of date Nice 9^th of Decr poor Colman taken ill the morning they were to start & of course delay necessary it is so vexatious this delay was not at Naples, while in Saverios comfortable Hotel, I occasionally have comfortable report from Frankfort, where I hear W^{m 4} inhabits one of the best Houses, well furnished & I am told on authority of Duke of Cambridge ⁵ that all is as it sh^d be, & W^m much liked, I hope you will go & see him by & bye prudence forbids our joining Ed: & Theresa ⁶ for our Xmas dinner so our family festivities must be disjointed for this Season, as even Moreton ⁷ has no gathering my kind love to Constance & your Graces ⁸ & wishing to all mirth mirth & good cheer in Here comes John safe & well; so George⁹ I daresay will be here by & bye & we four will not forget to toast the absent