7th May 1832
Monday
My Dear Henry
I never saw this dear old Abbey look so cheerful & pretty as to day, when Madame Money came to Breakfast at Eleven, to take leave of us, She goes tomorrow to Southampton & by Havre to Paris. The Sun bright, & hot, & the Trees either come or coming out in their various greens, altogether I never did the honours of the Place with more pleasure amongst the 37 emigrants only one woman had courage so I clothed her & her 4 little children, upon which two others say they will. Therefore you see my idea was a good one.
More is gone to Bristol to day to inquire more fully, & to learn what day exactly the Ship sails, <1> as I do not intend to give any thing till the last moment otherwise Mr Spencer <2> tells me they are very likely to sell it. Flannels & worsted stockings would be more use to them than the sacks of potatoes you talked of giving, because they must be fed by contract on board & the more you give, the less the Captain will, in the way of provisions.
The Urn is up in my garden! Oh! how pretty! Persian lilacs in blow! Horse chesnuts coming in flower!
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 02350.
2. Dr Henry Spencer (1805-1842), surgeon in Chippenham.