TALBOT8520

Edwards’ Hotel
George S^t Hanover Sq^re
Feb^y 18^th

My dear Henry

I confess to having been sadly disappointed not to have had a line from either you or Constance¹ in answer to my letter after our visit to Mount Edgcumbe² –. As it was addressed to C. perhaps I ought not to blame you, but I expected you would both have appreciated my eagerness to give you the latest tidings of dear Caroline & all her belongings – more especially as we all know what a bad correspondent she is. – I now write because of your affection for Jane³ to tell you of the engagement of Iltid⁴ which appears to give them all pleasure and therefore you will like to hear of it. The object of his affections is a Daughter of Captⁿ Jerningham⁵ who is in command of some ships at Plymouth – She has two sisters (the eldest in a Convent) & this is Cecilia the youngest aged 19 – there is no Brother but still I fear it cannot be a good marriage in a pecuniary point of view tho I have hear no particulars. You will have been very sorry for the death of poor M^rs Gladstone ⁶ which was very sudden just at last – I mean that they were only alarmed the last few days – tho’ she had been ill ever since the summer. The Belmores⁷ are just leaving Naples on their way home & it will be a help to poor Cap^t G. to have them to cheer him a little. –

We have many of our kinsfolk in London – Lansdowne House, the Howards, Kerrisons &c⁸ – I have not seen Lord Lansdowne but Louisa⁹ gives a better report of him than L^y Shelburne¹⁰ who thinks him altered in some ways. However his spirit & spirits are the same as ever & he dined at Lord Granville’s State Dinner¹¹ the other day, & then went to the H. of Lords to hear Shelburne speak with as much glee as if he were 20 years younger. – Pray let me hear from you – we shall be here certainly untill [sic] the 25^th & with love to all

Y^r vy Aff^te
H G Mundy

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re.
Millburn Tower
Edinburgh