TALBOT9788

61 Eaton Square
S.W.
Tuesday July 18^th 1871

My dear Henry

The time is fast approaching for our migration Westward – & I want to know if you & Constance ¹ would like us to pay you a little visit on our way?

I must explain how matters stand.

Ernestine ² proposes to leave London before me as I have various matters to attend to which do not require her presence, & she is impatient to leave this hot, stuffy city – in which there will no longer be any society after this week. Goodwood races are rather earlier than usual this year – & they are the signal for the instant dispersion of the London world. –

Ernestine therefore wishes to make a start next Monday the 24^th & would be very pleased to go & see you all at Lacock Abbey, if you could & would receive her on that day for a couple of days – Should you like her to do this? After that she is engaged to pay the Vals ³ a visit on Dartmoor, where they have taken a house for the hot weather – just when Mount E. ⁴ becomes too relaxing for Katie. ⁵ I am happy to say however, that she has been unusually well there this year.

My plan is to remain on in London about another week – & then if you will have me, I shall be delighted to come to the dear old Abbey for a few days. Only please let me know, as soon as possible, first, whether it will be convenient & agreable to have Ernestine on Monday; you can consider ab^t me afterwards. She has not seen you all together for ages –!

E. & I have attended the debate in the H^e of Lords, all 3 nights – & last night we remained till ¼ to two, & saw the Division. It was very interesting. Val intended to have spoken, & once jumped up to do so – but there were 2 or 3 others near him who equally desired to do so speak – but all gave way naturally to Lord Strathnairn ⁶ – & afterwards there was no further opportunity – which I was very sorry for – for I am certain tho’ he felt very nervous tho’ he had screwed up his courage to speak. Besides which, he is so seldom seen in public now – & I should like him to have been heard. – When we got home, he read us the heads of his speech – which I thought very good, & containing some new arguments against the Bill – a great merit, when everything that could be said either way, appeared to have been exhausted.

I am delighted the Bill is thrown out.

L^d Salisbury ⁷ spoke very well – His & the D. of Argyll’s ⁸ were the best speeches of the evening. Old L^d Russell ⁹ got up & congratulated the Duke, looking delighted all the while – tho’ he did not agree with him as he voted the other way. Now please answer something by return of Post – & give my love to all.

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

You know Ilchester ¹⁰ is to marry Ly. Mary Dawson, L^d Dartrey’s ¹¹ Daughter –? a handsome & charming person.