Oakfield
Thursday Sept 20

My dear Henry

It is a trying thing to us all to be left in the dark by you so long – The only letter I have received was that which you wrote from London on the 12^th – but we know not whether you ever got to Lacock Abbey – If you are there, I wish you would let us hear whether Lucy makes you comfortable – and whether the house is dry after all the rain which fell in Lacock since we came away. – Wilkins sent us some very good fruit just after you left Oakfield. – and we are still enjoying the grapes which remained after we had devoured the more perishable kinds. It is quite fine & pleasant again here now – the Storm which we had on Saturday seems to have been much more heavy & lasting in London – as I judge from a letter received today from Sir John Woodford ^<1> – How was it with you? – I find there has been a mistake about George Wilkins’s book – & that Simmons never sent it home – I am writing to him about it. M^lle A. is much better of her rheumatism – and I hope she & the rest of us will keep pretty well now that the weather is favourable. Charles has not written again. Did you ascertain on what day of October he will have to go to Cambridge? – I wish to know also whether I must provide linen, (I mean bed & table linen) for him to take with him. – If so I will write to Lucy Pullen to look out some for his use. –

Matilda’s letters continue very satisfactory in general. but she appears to have felt the effects of changeable weather: and complains of rheumatism – D^r Chalmers has ordered her to wear flannel – which is very judicious.

All that I hear from Margate prepares me for the sad termination which I have long expected. – She suffers less from acute pain – but the great increase of weakness is very distressing. She has liked to hear from me, so I have continued to write after receiving each acc^t. This protracted decline is indeed very trying to all around my dear Sister, as well as to herself, but in such cases I believe there is less suffering at last –

Dear Henry, pray let us hear from you soon. – You have so much to tell us about yourself & everything at Lacock –

Your affectionate
Constance

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham

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Notes:

1. Sir John George Woodford (1785–1879), Major General. His distinguished military career included serving as aide-de-camp to Wellington at Waterloo in 1815. Between 1821 and 1837, when he retired, he successfully campaigned for wide-ranging reforms within the army, from the systems of military discipline and purchase of commissions, to recreational provision.