TALBOT7093

Lacock Abbey

Wednesday –

My dear Henry

Charles arrived quite safe yesterday morning between half past eleven & twelve – He is very well indeed – and he sends you his love and hopes you will soon be at home. – He is quite delighted at having the new bed-room assigned to him – I have made it look ed very cheerful & comfortable and it is perfectly warm. – I have announced to him that it is only a temporary arrangement. I am glad you did not keep to your intention of coming down to Lacock either this evening or tomorrow morning, in the expectation of finding the Shakespears arrived – for owing to M^r Shakespear having caught a severe cold, he is forbidden by his Doctor to stir before next Saturday; on which day he hopes, but is not certain of being able, to come. He will write again on Friday – They decline staying for Christmas, as there is to be a family réunion at East Sheen on that day – This delay in their visit gives you a good chance of seeing something of them, though not so much as you might have wished. – I think you are quite right not to continue taking in both the Literary Gazette & Athenæum – but we hope you will not give up the latter – It is far the best paper of the two – and almost essential to keep us a little au courant of what is happening in the Literary & Musical world – As you do not take in any Review or Monthly Magazine, I think you should allow us this. Thanks about the chocolate: I have not yet received it, but it will come in due time, I dare say –

Y^r aff^te

Constance.