TALBOT8165

Paris, Friday 3^d Aug. 1860

My Dear Constance

I arrived here Wedn^y Ev^g – I had a very prosperous journey from Tarbes, I divided it into 2 days, sleeping at Angouleme, halfway. I was very glad to have an opportunity of seeing that city, which is situated on a commanding height looking down on the river Charente and its pleasant green meadows. It must have been a very strong place in the middle ages when it was only assailable by arrows. The sun was intolerably fierce on Wedn^y morning as I walked about Angouleme visiting the "lions", but with that exception we had pleasant travelling weather from the Pyrenees to Paris, and now at Paris the weather is dark & rainy, which is not at all disagreeable for a change.

I propose to leave this on Monday the 6^th therefore please to direct to me at the Athenæum, London – I only mean to stop one or two days in London and then proceed to join you at Oakfield where I hope to arrive about the 9^th or 10th – I am charmed with your account of Matilda – I have brought her a pretty little specimen of the marble of the Pyrenees, it is intended to hold butter and ornament the breakfast table. I was interested by the account in the paper of M^r Rosss triumphant reception at Barnard Castle in his way to Whorlton.

Your aff^te
Henry

I was much concerned to find from your letters of the 24^th & 28^th the latter of w^ch I found waiting my arrival here, that Charles had been so very poorly – I am afraid that M^r Headlam has not much judgment in matters relative to health, for he certainly spoke too lightly of Charles indisposition, and the letter of the Doctor at Barnard Castle also led me to believe that it was trivial & nothing more than languor caused by too rapid growth.