TALBOT9719

Dabton

Thornhill

Nov^r 21^st 1870

My dear Papa,

We got back on Saturday from Auchen Castle, where we had as much music and as much nonsense as usual – & found Mamie & Monie looking as if they had made themselves quite comfortable during our absence – I was sorry to leave them for so long, it makes such a hole in their visit! which now alas, they as, must soon draw to a close – It seems to me as if they had only just come. We looked out nearly every night last week, hoping to see a star shower, but I don’t think there has been any observed this year; at least I have not seen it mentioned in the papers – and the most likely nights the 12, 13^th, & 14^th & 15^th were quite clear & bright enough to make observation easy. Now it has set in wet & disagreeable, since Saturday morning – Next Friday is the Duke of Buccleuch’s birthday, & the tenants are to have a dinner given to them, I believe at the Castle – There will also be a Ball at Thornhill, to which we are going – so it makes a stir in this small place. – Monie complains that we have not been drawing together, but really there has been no time. How beautiful her collection of sketches are, which she has brought from abroad – & they are extremely admired by everyone who has seen them – for they are much more artistic than most amateur drawings – anybody can see that, even if they are not very good judges –

With love from all here

I am your most affec^te daughter

Matilda

Don’t stay too long at Lacock all by yourself!

I think Mama seems to be making out her Cheltenham visit very well.