TALBOT6920

London

Tuesday Feb. 21^st

My Dear Constance

Gunnell’s voyage of Arctic discovery costs sixteen shillings – It is just at present out of print. It is an American book, and in a great fire at New York the other day the whole Edition was burnt.

They are however reprinting it, and the new edition is expected to arrive in London in a fortnight.

Yesterday I met M^r & M^rs Brett at the station at Chipp^m on their way to their new residence. While waiting for the train we had an amicable conversation, & took leave of each other – M^rs B. expressed regret at being unable to take leave of you so it would be friendly in you to write her a line if you feel disposed to do so – She had with her her little boy of 11 months old, who evidently saw that something very unusual was going on he looked around him so attentively, and talked about it too in his own way. Fortunately for them the weather was extremely mild so that the child ran no risk by the journey and loitering on the platform. Their little dog accompanied them, and was as droll & amusing as usual – Their new abode is 3 miles from Gloucester, a small rural village on the banks of the Severn. The late vicar whose death occasioned the vacancy was only about 40 years of age. He had never once set foot in the parish, but the day when he read himself in.

A beautifully fine day in Town today.

Your aff^te

Henry

I am glad to hear of the interest which Charles takes in the Russian war.