TALBOT8035

Penrice
Jan^y 30

My dear Henry

You will think I do not attend to your request, that I would send you any intelligence I got of poor Harry Strangways if I do not write before the end of the month! but indeed there is nothing to say it is wonderful how he goes on lying in the same quiet state and not taking any notice of any one! The only thing to comfort poor M^rs S. is that he does not appear to suffer any pain at all. it is now nearly six weeks I think since he was seized & tho’ they fancy he is getting weaker that is the only difference they can see in his state. I hear occasionally from Fanny & the last account which I got yesterday is just the same – She has lost her kind friend & Cousin Miss Har^t Harris who has lived at [illegible] near Dorchester for some years & was a great comfort to her, She used to keep Harry Strangwayss [sic] house when he was the Clergyman of Moreton. –

I hope you are better than when you wrote.

The Gardens are worse than ever I saw them at this time of the year. We have snow drops & [illegible] but not of Crocuses and the Pheasants are so tame & wicked nothing is left in peace even feathers hyacinths & tulips scratched up & bit in pieces if not eaten! –

I am interrupted so no more excepting love to all Cousins.

Ever your aff^ate
Coz Mary

Jane is going to Torquay very soon with Lucy [illegible]

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