TALBOT8786

Rutland Square

January 6^th –

My dear Henry

This morning I had your letter from Margam of the 4^th – And very glad we were to hear something of the business on which you went. Did you meet M^rs Nicholl at Margam? I thought from the first it would be a good thing, were you to talk with her on the subject – and I know that she would be pleased with the offer for her son. In fact it is a great compliment. I fear the ‘gathering’ at Margam will have been almost too much for you – such a plunge into society would be trying to anybody – and we expected you would have arranged your visit so as to escape the Ball. – Our New Year’s day was especially quiet, even to dullness – all of us keeping within doors – you & Charles both away; and Tilly with husband & children also far away: – no sounds of busy work as on common days – no sounds of noisy merriment reaching our quiet quarter of the Town. Yet Edinburgh was in a state of high excitement & the streets crowded – places of amusement overflowing, as our Servants can testify, they not being able to make their way through the picture gallery. – or <sic> see anything owing to the press of people. – Poor Monie has got a very tedious cold, disabling her altogether from going out: and we have unfortunately two dinners this week. I have a cold too, but not near so bad as Monie’s. Ela is the hardy one – she walks out most days & enjoys this cold weather. There was skating yesterday on all the Lochs – and of course today also. I believe nothing makes the Scotch people so happy as a good hard frost, and they had none last year. We heard from Charles after he reached Cambridge – He too complained of the bitter cold of on the journey, especially at Peterborough – you don’t seem to have felt it at Margam. At Lacock on the night of the 1^st they had 12 degrees of frost, as I heard from George Wilkins who was there on the visit to his parents. –

Caroline wrote to M^lle Amélina after you left Town, and said she was intending to start next day for Paris & Cannes. – Ela hopes you got her letter of the 31^st December. Love from all –

Your affectionate

Constance.