TALBOT8170

Paris Saturday 4^th Aug. 1860

My Dear Constance

Your letter of the 2^d came surprisingly quick, as it reached my hands the next day, about 8 oclock P.M. But your letter of the 1^st August was not delivered till today, altho’ I see by the postmark that it really reached Paris on the 2^d – These irregularities seem to occur constantly in the Continental post offices.

Bayen tells me that when he was in Miss Coutts Trotter’s service he enquired for her letters at some town and was told there was nothing. As he could not believe this, he insisted very much, and at least obtained permission from the Director to have all the letters examined, when six letters were found for Miss Trotter, but they were arranged under the letter F Si vous <máirez?> dit Mademoisselle Frotter said the employé; je vous les aurais données dábord, mais comment peut on lire cette ecriture Anglaise?

I believe the best plan is to write the address in a printing hand, but unluckily I did not think of this plan in time to be useful –

The Prince of Wales is going to Cambridge after Christmas perhaps it would be the best plan if Charles were to do the same but that we can talk of when I come. I hope you received the letter I posted yesterday. Write to me at the Athenæum – I hope to be at Oakfield the 9^th or 10^th I thought you would want a carriage at Oakfield, we will consider what is best to be done.

Your aff^te

Henry