TALBOT7175

Castle Combe Sep^tr 14. 1855

Dear Talbot,

I know not what your address maybe just now, so direct to Lacock, whence this may be forwarded I hope – I am bound to thank you most warmly, as I do, for your kindness to me previously as well as for your liberality to all the flock of soi-disant Archæologists, (but, for the most part, felicity – hunters of the usual stamp) who followed me on Wednesday last through all the labyrinthine apartments of your interesting Abbey.¹ I Earnestly trust and believe that there was no single instance of abuse of your generous confidence. And you will therefore have the satisfaction of having conferred great pleasure on several hundred of your Wiltshire neighbours at no sacrifice to yourself. The day was made on purpose – Your house and grounds appeared to perfection under a bright sun at mid-day in this charming season.² And the admiration excited by its antique & venerable charms, as well as by the taste with which you have made it look so comfortable a residence, was unbounded. We went on to Bowood, which was another intense treat to our folk. And Lord Lansdowne ³ owned he never saw his own place to much advantage as when the slopes & terraces were sprinkled with a crowd of well-dressed & well-behaved visitors in a state of Enthusiastic admiration & enjoyment. He gave a splendid entertainment to near 400 in a tent on the lawn – and it will be a day remembered by all with a white mark.

I had near half of them here yesterday. The day was not so favourable. But we continued to please them, and the meeting terminated as well as it had gone from the beginning. I dug up 5 or 6 ancient Britons from my long Barrow, which as a Cromlech at one end for the Entertainment of the real Antiquarians.

Believe me ever, Dear Talbot,
Yours very faithfully
G Poulett Scrope

I inclose you our Programme of Proceeding, to shew you how we visited you. Excuse its soiled state. ⁴

[envelope:]
Dunkeld
H. Fox Talbot Esq^r
Lacock Abbey
Post Office
Bridge of Allan
Sterling
Scotland
to be forwarded