4 Athole Crescent <1>
Monday Novr 23d
My dear Henry
We had very beautiful weather the greater part of last week – Saty was fair – but after a very bright morning the sky became cloudy & warned us of what was to follow – Yesterday was dark & showery – but today is decidedly worse – We had a regular storm of wind this morning between 11 & 1 – and much heavy rain since the wind dropped – It continues pattering heavily on the sky light at the present hour (six) I hope you will have better weather for your journey whenever you fix to come – and don’t forget to give me sufficient notice d’avances, that I may hire your bed &c &c.
I think if this note reaches you in time to add a small article to your luggage, we should like very much to have the Registering Thermometer that lies on a ledge in the Dining room, by the side of the square table – I mean the Thermometer in a japanned case. (the other is out of order) It may be interesting after the cold weather sets in to mark the degree of cold at night.
We called on a good number of our acquaintance last week, and saw some of them. One Lady (the Sister of Sir John Watson Gordon) <2> is well acquainted with Professor Rogers & his Brother who is also a Professor. But the Professor whom you know a little, is her greatest friend, and like you she had grieved to read in the newspaper some time ago, of the unfortunate accident which befel him when travelling in a Railway carriage:<3> You remember he was struck by a stone which shattered his jaw? She Miss Watson called on his Wife to offer condolence, and was rejoiced to meet him in his usual health, having met with no accident – His brother however had been hurt in the manner described, but much more slightly than the exaggerated account in the ‘Times’ might lead one to expect. And this Gentleman is now nearly recovered, and hoping soon to resume his lectures –
Your affectionate
Constance
Notes:
1. West of Princes Street, Edinburgh
2. Sir John Watson Gordon (1788–1864), portrait painter in Edinburgh.
3. On 9 Oct, a stone was thrown at the down express train near Wymondham, splintering Prof Rogers's lower jaw and fracturing the upper one. 'The Late Outrage on the Eastern Counties Railway,' The Times, 16 Oct 1857, p. 10.