TALBOT6951

Greta Bank
April 28^th

My dear Henry

I have to thank you for a most interesting letter received yesterday, and another on Tuesday. – I am delighted to hear that the Royal Commissioners of the Great Exhibition have been true to their agreement, & at last presented you with the 15 Copies of their work. ^<1> – It appears to me to have been a very long time in progress – We are all most anxious to see it, and hope you will bring a copy with you on your return to Greta. – I am greatly flattered that the first present you have made is to the Library at Markeaton. and I know how much it will have gratified my Brother to receive it. – I think you are quite right to present one to Cambridge – but I do not think you are equally judicious in keeping but one for yourself. It is a work that you will show to all your friends, and you will naturally carry it from place to place & expose it to much wear & tear. Suppose this sole copy should meet with an accident, not sufficient to spoil it utterly, but to blemish it a little, would you not like to have one in reserve in order to hand it down to posterity in a perfect state, on the shelves of the Library at Lacock? – Before you dispose of them all, I hope you will pay me the compliment of consulting me. – Pray don’t give one to M^r Gaisford – it would puff him up too much – and without harbouring any unchristian spirit towards him, I really don’t consider that his past conduct deserves such a proof of esteem from you – Forgive my mentioning this: but I thought your good nature, & perhaps a request to this effect from Caroline, might over come rule your better judgment. – I dare say you will make a list of your those friends whom you think worthy & I hope one will be placed at Bowood. Of course M^t Edgcumbe, Margam, Milbury, will be on the list – but I don’t think it should extend beyond the heads of families.

I am glad you [illegible deletion] were pleased with the sermon you heard on Wednesday. You neither told us the name of the Preacher or of the Church. Our Service at Crosthwaite was very well attended, & the Sermon by M^r Lynn very impressive & judicious – He read the long collect for the day so beautifully that it sounded ten times more impressive than from the lips of M^r Gedge in the former part of the service – but M^r Gedge also read with solemnity & distinctness, which was fortunate for those who like ourselves were unprovided with the printed forms. I shall call on M^rs Gedge in return for her card left by her husband & if I see her, will take care to explain why you don’t call at present.

I think it will be proper that I should write to M^rs Dowdeswell although I can be scarcely said to know her. I believe we did exchange cards in the year 1833. – & she certainly visited my family. – The acquaintance began when my Cousin married the younger Brother, both since deceased; and one of the Orphans sons is Charles’s schoolfellow. I have desired Charles to write you word after he gets back to school – he will direct to you at the Athenæum. – I hope you will give me a few days notice of your intended return to Greta; as I should like to send a commission for the China shop at Birthwaite.

Your affectionate
Constance

Will you not call upon your new Clergyman M^r Blomfield? I forget whether you met him did so before –

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts