My dear Henry
I forward by this post a most unshapely missive, addressed in Mr West Awdry’s <1> handwriting, and which I therefore deem to demand your attention while you are in that part of the country. – The other document received yesterday is a printed paper about Patents dated January 7th – On peeping under the slip, I see it is a number of the “Commissions of Patents Journal” – Must I forward it? –
You have a miserably rainy morning for your journey on, today – much worse than yesterday – which proved far different from the early promise of the morning. I hope you will give me a few lines with the earliest intelligence of your safe arrival in London – I cannot help feeling daily more anxious about those who travel by railway, though the dangers are happily diminished since the breaking up of the frost – When you started yesterday we were under the impression that the weather was going to be as fine as possible – and we all set out on foot to Keswick, <2> intending to take a carriage drive into Borrowdale. – But on our way we observed unmistakeable symptoms of approaching rain – So after shopping a little we returned, but did not escape some heavy rain – The road in a very splashy uncomfortable state.
Your affectionate
Constance
Greta Bank <4>
Tuesday morning –
We had violent gusts of wind last night, which blew the poor thermometer off its nails – The tube is not broken, but he spirit within is displaced, a small portion of it is divided from the rest – & the little pin cannot rise to the top, not being able to press the space. We shall not leave it outside till you have examined it –Notes:
1. West Awdry (1807–1892), solicitor, Chippenham.
2. Keswick, Cumberland.
3. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
4. Greta Bank, Cumberland, near Keswick.