TALBOT7214

Athole Crescent
Friday Jany 25^th

My dear Henry

I was very glad to receive your letter on arriving in London, to say that you had so far accomplished your journey & that Charles was off for Harrow. – He has written to me twice & reports himself quite well. – I directed Goodwin to forward to you the three Newspapers that you asked for – and I hope you received them. I was much pleased by your having spared George so soon to go over to Bath – and I thank you for enclosing the Bills with receipts. – I suppose you did not stay long enough in London for him to do my commission there. It was not very material – Only to take down to Lacock for me the Album of the Modes Parisiennes to which my subscription entitles me – which is now ready and to be had on application at Delizy’s 1 Norfolk Street. The letter which you have forwarded to me today is from Delizy, asking my pleasure on the subject. – If you go again to London, George had better ask for it – as these things do not travel by post.

We are progressing very well, and our Circle of acquaintance is enlarging rapidly – Besides Lady Arbuthnots party, we have had one a soirée at Miss Sinclair’s – Jullian’s Concert, our first Opera and our first Assembly. I had hesitated about the assembly for that night, because some people thought it would be the least good of the Season – But on being introduced to one of the Lady Patronesses at Miss Sinclair’s, she was so pressing and civil about our going – that I decided to accept: and we went. The fine ball-room was indeed very thin – but the dancing was only the more spirited – Rosamond & Matilda had plenty of partners and were much admired – Ela by choice waits for the next Ball, in which she expects there will be less dancing – She went with me to Lady Arbuthnot’s & Miss Sinclair’s – and intends to be of the Opera party next Monday. – We have all been today to see the Pictures of the best portrait painter in Edinburgh – (Sir John Watson Gordon). I recollect now that he is the man to whom Sir D. Brewster wished you to sit for your picture. He seldom fails of a happy likeness – He showed us a great curiosity, a Manuscript of the time of Queen Mary – It is the Parish register of Holyrood Chapel, in the which the marriage of the Queen with Darnley is entered.

Your Girls send their love – I am sure they thoroughly enjoy this little beginning of gaiety – It is only eight days since you left us – & during this we have been out five times – that is doing pretty well I think. –

How is Lacock looking? We have had several very fine days lately

Your affectionate Constance. –

What do you say about peace? Is Russia sincere? or is it a trick to gain time? – Our Edinburgh Courant gives us all the important news – and we don’t miss the Times on that account. But I heard M^lle Amélina regret that she had lost the continuation of a trial on enquiry into a long case of suspected poisoning, which had interested her. – As I conclude you have your ‘Times’ at Lacock regularly – I should be much obliged to you to order George to forward them to us after you have quite done with them – I mean each paper after you have finished it – No matter how old – And will you tell him to send them from the beginning of those which you had at Lacock. I enclose a letter which came for you today.