TALBOT8699

43 Upper Grosvenor Street
April 30

My dear Henry

I am charmed with the engraving of the Calke Abbey Seal, which I shall place in my Illustrations of the Hist^y of Derbyshire,¹ as being a permanent record of it – for people say the Photographs will fade in time. Will you tell me if this is really likely to be the case?² – It would be extremely vexatious if the Views of Places &c I have mounted & inserted into the said Book, were to appear as blank pages to my Grand Children!! They would be inclined to consider their old Grandmother as an arrant Cheat. We did not know about your have [sic] shared the honors bestowed on L^d Palmerston³ untill Caroline⁴ informed us of it – and I felt very wrath with Constance & Ela⁵ for not have [sic] written to tell us of a circumstance – which gives us so much pleasure & satisfaction – for we never consider that you are half enough appreciated. C’s letter arrived the next day – but she is mistaken in saying that she wrote last, as I took pains to let her know all I could about the poor Gladstones. – Your account of Professor Smyth⁶ is very interesting –. He uses the most extraordinary words and expressions in his Book⁷ – mostly coined for the occasion – but it amused me very much & I fret to know more about Russia than I ever did before. Now I am reading M^rs Atkinsons’s account of her journey over the Steppes of Tartary⁸ – very amusing; but she is a most masculine Lady! Caroline is vexed at having to go into Waiting again for another fortnight. It takes so much out of her time in London – but I hope the change of air will cure her cold. Lucy Nicholl⁹ is very ill I fear – Jane’s¹⁰ attack of rheumatic fever is mending. I am very sorry indeed that you are going back to Millburn ¹¹ & prefer being so far away from dear old Lacock Abbey.

Love to all

Y^r aff^te Cousin
H G. Mundy