TALBOT7774

11 Randolph Cres^t
Tuesday Dec^r 14

My dear Henry

I was just taking up my pen to tell you of a visit I paid to Miss Catherine Sinclair ¹ this morning – when I was informed by a servant that Charles ² was arrived – and alone in the Drawing room. I hastened down – found him perfectly well and very hungry – as he had arrived at York so late & tired last night that he went to bed without supper – and this morning had scrambled through his breakfast in less than 10 minutes owing to the neglect of the people at the Hotel to call him in time – However he just managed to save the train – and arrived at Edinburgh about ½ past 4 the same as we did. – That is an excellent train from York. – I fed Charles with cold chicken the minute he arrived: and he seems all right & flourishing – He finds rather a sick house here with colds – but all are mending – they say it is a regular epidemic. I have escaped altogether so far, perhaps having come with the remains of a bad cold, preserved me from a fresh one.

Matilda ³ & I dined with Lord & Lady Murray ⁴ on Saturday – and on the Thursday previous, we had a pleasant party at M^rs Primrose’s ⁵. Tomorrow evening M^rs Primrose gives another party, and Lady Murray has a party on Friday – so you see we are beginning our social life in good earnest –

But to return to the original subject of my letter. – Miss Cath. Sinclair tell me that the Edin^h Photographic Society⁶ opens its rooms for the annual Exhibition next Friday Evening – and much interest being already excited by your new Invention of Engraving, ⁷ the Society are most eager to be favored with specimens furnished by yourself – I told her that I w^d write to you on the subject of this request, but that there could be scarcely time before Friday to receive anything from you – She said any communication later would be received by M^r Watson ⁸ – our friend in George Street, who would lay it before the members of the Society – I think they would like to see the engraved steel plate itself as well as the printed impression – ⁹

Your affectionate
Constance.

[envelope:]
H.F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire