Lynwood Bournemouth
Thursday Aug 21st
My dear Henry
The articles in the Daily Telegraph are very interesting – thank you for sending the Paper, which I will return tomorrow. – It is not easy to understand the liberality of the Proprietors of this Newspaper in presenting the collection to the British Museum. – over & above the £1000 which I think you told me was paid to Mr Smith – I cannot think they will thereby increase the circulation of the Newspaper so as to prove gainers by the transaction. –
Please thank Ela for her letter just received, with the enclosure from our friend Mr Watson announcing the death of his Sister – I fear she must have continued in the same suffering state as when you & I saw her in Edinburgh, in the Spring of 1871. I always felt a sincere regard for the Watsons – and grateful for their friendly feeling towards ourselves – The solitary surviving Brother will be very desolate now –
Ela writes of the bad weather you had yesterday – Here we had at least as bad. Pouring & blowing nearly the whole day: and the total absence of Sun made us very chilly – Today is as different – quite bright & fine, and very breezy – The whole population is on the shore & the Pier viewing the Regatta. A steamer making short trips in the Bay – Music on the Pier – a fair in tents on the beach – The Scene is very animated from our windows & we shall see the fireworks in the Evening equally well – as they will be let off on the Pier.
We are getting on prosperously: – the Cooking in this house is very good, which we understand is not the case in some other lodgings – Mamie & Rd seem to like the place, although they were perhaps more pleased at first sight with Weymouth; – at any rate this air agrees – & gives them both an excellent appetite.
My love to Ela –
Your affectionate
Constance
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham