TALBOT8593

Melbury ¹
Dorchester
Sunday August 16^th

My Dear Constance

I had a very pleasant drive to Carlisle on Wedn^y Ev^g the fine weather showed the scenery to great advantage. Even the high desolate moorlands in the middle of the journey, I thought were worth seeing for once. On approaching Carlisle, near Longtown, I was struck with the fine appearance of the woods and mansion of Netherby, the seat of the late Sir James Graham. ² I slept at Lancaster – The Kings arms Inn has fallen off. Next day at Wigan I admired a new manufactory which is perhaps the handsomest in England, or rather the only goodlooking one: and at Birmingham the New Exchange ³ a Gothic Building which would I think have pleased Charles ⁴ to see, being a well attempted Architectural edifice which will produce showy effect when finished – I slept at Clifton & came on here on Friday at 5 oclock – I found here Caroline & L^d & L^y Digby ⁵ come over from Minterne with their children to pass the afternoon. They were a merry party playing Croquet and drinking Syllabub.

Yesterday we drove and walked in the Park, which looked beautiful & we measured the oak called Billy Wilkins – Today is Ernestines ⁶ Birthday when she completes her 20^th year. The weather has changed to windy and showery. Pray send me 2 different carte de visite portraits of Matilda ⁷ and one of M^r Clark, ⁸ if you can be sure of replacing them by others – I want to give them to L^y Ilchester. ⁹ She is going to give you some of herself and William. ¹⁰ I think I shall leave this, on Thursday –

Your aff^te
Henry