[blind stamp]
London
April 26. 1854
My Dear Constance
The day of prayer & humiliation was observed with particular solemnity today in London.1 The churches were crowded, the streets nearly deserted. The sermon which I heard was remarkably good and was listened to with breathless attention.
Text from 2 Kings 19, 25
“Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it & of ancient times that I have formed it? How have I brought it to pass that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.”
I saw your brother2 & Harrt3 yesterday. She say that Mr Digby4 is much better & has been out of doors and seems little altered by the accident. Nevertheless she says that so speedy a cure causes her doubt and anxiety as to its reality? Harriet says if ever you come to Town there is a private hotel next door to her, the apartment of which she strongly recommends – Ld Mt E has been to Mt Edgcumbe & back5. He found it too cold, much colder than Torquay. He has been out driving in a carriage the first time for 5 months.
Truly I wish Mr Williams6 would be more sparing of his holidays! I do not know whether you know Mrs Dowdeswell7 well enough to write to her. I wish we had some means of thanking her for her kindness to Charles8 during a visit so unexpectedly long. I hope however he has been of use in making the holidays more pleasant for his companions Dodo & Jack9 who must doubtless like to have society of their own age. Tomorrow I mean to go to Lacock & return Monday or Tuesday. The Royal Commissioners who presided over the Great Exhibition of 1851, Prince Albert being their head, made a compact or agreement with me, as the Patentee of the Photographic Art, that if I would allow them to make photographic plates, to illustrate their great work, on the results of the Exhibition, they could present me with 15 copies of it when finished.10 Accordingly they have done so. The work is very handsome
It consists of 4 vols splendidly bound in Russia. As I only want 1 copy for my own library, I shall give away the others to friends who have permanent libraries and to my old College library at Cambridge.11 I have given the first Copy to your brother & hope it will be long preserved in the library at Markeaton.12
I think I must have taken away with me all your fine weather and lost it on the road for there is none here. The weather is sombre
Adieu
Your affte
Henry
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