TALBOT7026

Greta Bank
Wednesday July 26

My dear Henry

I received yesterday your letter from Lyons of Saty 22^d and on the last mentioned day, your second from Turin of July 17^th – In that one you said that mine of the 10^th had reached Turin in four days – this celerity determined me to write once more, as you gave no fresh direction, nor did you say you were coming on homewards immediately. – My object was to inform you of the very excellent arrangement I have made with M^r Williams for Charles’s journey – He is coming to Greta Bank under the escort of M^. Ménard, who is the French Master at Dummer. We came accidentally to know that this gentleman intended to make the tour of the Lakes during the vacation – whereupon I [illegible deletion] proposed to him to escort Charles, and pass a few days with us at Greta Bank – They will start on Monday – sleep at Kendal or Birthwaite and be with us on Tuesday morning. This will save your going one step out of your way to pick up Charles – and I shall consider all that you say in your letter as unsaid, for of course you will not upset so good an arrangement – which would be acting uncivilly towards M. Ménard. I had sent out the invitations for our evening party for that same Tuesday Aug 1^st – But learning afterwards that it is one of the first days of the Carlisle Assizes, which all the Cumberland gentlemen attend, I have been obliged to change the day – and now it stands fixed for Friday next the 28^th – that is the day after tomorrow. – I cannot therefore send you Goodwin at the time you wished – and shall wait to hear if you still require him on a later day – It certainly is difficult to spare him – particularly with the addition of M. Ménard & Charles –

The weather has been just as fine with us, as you describe it in France. – I have no doubt you suffered from the heat in travelling; for we find it too hot for ordinary walks and drives – We met the Stangers of Lairthwaite yesterday morning, in their own beautiful domain; – they chatted with us in their usual cheerful & very friendly manner. – But soon after we left them we had a striking proof of the instability of all human happiness – M^r Joshua Stanger of Fieldside, (his Brother) had, so the report said, “dropped down dead suddenly.” – We know nothing further, but conclude it was a return of apoplectic seizure, to which he was subject – It will throw a fresh gloom over Society here – We are all well, and hope to see you return the same – if you don’t expose yourself too much to the heat. – I sent you heaps of thanks from all of us for your various letters – but the said thanks did not reach you – Since then, Rosamond & Matilda have received your latest letters from Turin, and desire me to thank you for them. – they would have answered, had they known where to direct – There are heaps of letters lying for you here, but I suppose they will keep till you come – unless Goodwin goes up – in which case I will make them up altogether in a packet for him to take. –

Your affectionate
Constance –

I have this moment received your letter from Paris – and am very sorry to learn by it, that you are unwell. – I hope that complete quietness will restore you soon: but since the date of your letter, the heat has rather increased than diminished. – You need be under no anxiety about Charles, all the arrangements being made, – as I have explained – I send this off to await your arrival in London. It will be rather stale by that time.

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Athenæum Club
London.