TALBOT7940

Rothay Bank. Grasmere. ¹
August the 20th

My dear Papa,

It is more agreeable to write on a bright and sunny morning, than when all is looking gloomy or in pouring rain, and that is why I have delayed till now – for unfortunately we have had too great a proportion of the latter weather, which has prevented Charles ² from undertaking any very long walks since he arrived. Today however some of us propose driving to little Langdale ³ and Blea tarns, ⁴ which promises to be a very pleasant expedition. He is grown enthusiastic on the subject of Pike fishing – and the other evening brought home two small ones, the result of an expedition on the Lake with M^r Green. ⁵ Yesterday in Company with George ⁶ he rowed about most perseveringly for several hours, but succeeded in catching nothing –

We had a visit yesterday from Major Wake ⁷ who had been to Windermere station with some friends and was returning home. The country is overrun with tourists, they cram into every little nook and corner – Ambleside looks in a state of insurrection, such is the excitement and confusion. Many I should think must be have great difficulty in finding a bed – and the other day M^r Carlisle Wake ⁸ found an unfortunate gentleman and his daughter wandering about late in the streets of Keswick unable to find a shelter; – so he took pity on them and gave them hospitality at Ormathwaite ⁹, where they turned out to be old acquaintances and passed two days very agreeably. –

Charles brought with him from Speddoch ¹⁰ some excellent Grouse, the result of the first day’s shooting in the rain, and Grapes from that famous vine, which I am afraid far outshines any thing that we can produce.

Mama ¹¹ had a letter from Louisa Howard ¹² this morning mentioning that poor L^d Lansdowne ¹³ had been very ill. Had you heard any thing of it? She says “he is just recovering from a severe illness, which brought me up to town to see him. It was one of the prevalent attacks of sickness &c – but at his age very alarming, and gout followed when he was too weak to bear it. – I found him recovering, however, with his usual vigour, when he once turns the corner, and he is now here (at Richmond) as a half way step to Bowood ¹⁴, where I hope we shall go soon.” What a wonderful constitution he must have! – She mentions the great heat: do you suffer from it now <.> I am sure today it is as hot here as it can be any where, – the most summer like day we have had.

I send you this sketch ¹⁵ to refresh your memory as to the external appearance of the house, from the gate – Seat Sandal in the distance.

Charles is anxiously expecting your answer concerning the whereabouts of Theodore, ¹⁶ as he much wants a companion in his walks.

Ela ¹⁷ desires me to thank you for the letter she received some time ago, and which she soon means to answer –

Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.

Mamie ¹⁸ vous fait bien ses amitiés et desire savoir si vous n’êtes pas enchanté de l’amnistie proclamée par Bedinguet? – Voici la première bonne action de sa vie! – mais je ne veux pas entrer en de plus longues digressions politiques. ¹⁹

I forgot to tell you that the Shelburns ²⁰ are in Scotland to the great joy of the children ²¹.

Major Wake told us that M^rs Shakespear ²² will really leave for India in October with her sister Lady Grant. ²³

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire.