Barrow House

Friday July 5^th

My dear Henry

I was most agreeably surprised to receive your letter yesterday from the Windermere Hotel.– and to learn that your journey so far had been rather pleasant than otherwise – Certainly the weather turned out better than one could have expected – M^lle A & our chicks went out walking & reported that they had found it pleasant – The weather continued yesterday much the same – only it poured more steadily until a later hour – About six o’clock we ordered the carriage – and M^lle A & I went to Keswick – for a little shopping – We found a tolerably tidy shoemaker – and a very civil chemist &c &c – After spending about an hour at our business there, we were tempted by the remarkable clearness of the air & beauty of the coloring on the mountains, to extend our drive a little on the Cockermouth road –

It was rather cold – but the effects of light & shade were very grand & striking – It was too late in the evening to penetrate into the Vale of Newlands – but we shall do that another day – I am afraid we shall not have warm weather again for some time – – therefore we shall avail ourselves of every tolerable day for seeing what we can –

There were no letters for you yesterday – Sir D Brewster knew we were at Barrow House, because I wrote to his daughter when everything was settled & thanked her for her assistance & kind <expressement?> in writing to us about it from Keswick – –

I hope you contrived time to eat something at Windermere, after your rapid drive through the keen mountain air – I am very glad you decided on taking that road instead of the other by Penrith –

I hope you will find Horatia well & reasonable on the subject of L. Abbey – M^lle Amolina has passed 2 nights in the bed chamber, but I am not sure that she is quite pleased with it – – and perhaps she will return to the other. – I have dried some sprigs of the Asphodel. –

Your affectionate

Constance