Manchester

Friday August 17^th

My Dear Constance

I travelled here by an uncommonly fast coach, almost railway speed sometimes. We came in little more than 2 hours & a half, including stoppages. The distance is 25 miles, it will take you I think three hours if you have good horses – The first mile or two is up hill, afterwards for several miles down hill, with fine views – Then nearly level all the way to Manchester – On the top of the hill, we were enveloped in clouds and it rained hard, altogether a very dreary prospect, so that I was glad we went such a pace. We got here 20 minutes past 9, to the Royal Hotel which is very large & uncomfortable – I found the Carlisle coach left at 5 in the morning – and I was too tired to think of going at that hour so I have taken a place for Lancaster at 12 o’clock this morning – I hope you will find the large public garden an agreeable walk I advise you to have the bill sent in daily at the S^t Ann’s Hotel, for fear of mistakes. – or at any rate for the 2 or 3 first days –

Your aff^te

Henry

Mrs Talbot
Post Office
Buxton