TALBOT9059

Dabton, Monday

My dear Henry

I had your very interesting letter this morning – M^lle Amélina was so pleased with your explanation of those wonderful Meteors, that she asked my permission to copy it out. – I read some of those accounts in the ‘Times’ – before we left Markeaton – and there was one in the Manchester Examiner, which described the whole thing simply, and just as it appeared to us. We were sorry to see such tracts of country under water in many parts of our journey here from Derby on Friday – and we see by the accounts in the Newspapers that much damage was done – and many lives unfortunately lost. We have now a continuance of frost with a very cold wind – and this I hope will dry the ground, and enable the farmers to sow their arable land – My Brother was getting quite in despair at this continued wet; and lamenting over his un-sown fields – but here, our Son in law tells me they don’t sow their crops in the Autumn, & therefore they don’t suffer so much. – Have you had any flood at Lacock? – We are to be in Edinburgh on Wednesday evening so that whenever you like to order Newspapers for us there, we shall get them – but last Saturday’s Athenæum may be sent on to Dabton, because if we have left, M^lle Amélina will be glad to look at it – She has promised to remain a little longer with Tilly – as she is particularly well in this bracing air – and her society is so good for dear Tilly – who is rather uncomfortable altho’ wonderfully active – I am persuaded that she exerts herself rather too much for she admits that she is constantly feeling tired – She expects her confinement in February, but not till the middle or end of the month. – I want to hear whether Anna makes you tidy dinners & is generally comfortable – You must please to tell her exactly how you like to have things done – for I am sure she is most anxious to please. I heard you were so good to the little Cats when they invaded your bedroom – Poor things! They would be puzzled at the change of scene. – I wonder whether they make themselves tolerably happy without us – Pussy and Linney are gone on to Edinb – and waiting for us there –

Your affectionate

Constance