4 Circus <1>
March 28th
My dear Henry
I think you may like to read the enclosed <2> which I recd today . Please return it to me. – Charles <3> asks me to say that being at Chippenham <4> today, he ordered Mr Merewether’s <5> Book which is just published, and which we agreed it would be right to get. – No doubt it will be amusingly written – though probably there will be much in it to criticise – and I don’t expect that we shall be able to accept all his statements as accurate.
We have again had a beautiful day – that threatening of winter seems to have passed off, but I dare say it did much mischief to the blossoms.
Charles told us that you had an Australian tongue opened the other day for lunch, and that it proved excellent. I hope you have had it duly served up since that day, for you are aware they do not keep long, after the tin is opened – If you cannot use it cold, Hill could make you nice dishes of tongue & chicken served hot.
Your affectionate
Constance
Charles has just returned with a copy of Mr Merewether’s “By Land & Water” in his hand –Notes:
1. 4 the Circus, Bath; frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.
2. Enclosure not located.
3. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
4. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
5. Henry Alworth Merewether, jnr (1813–1877), JP, author & Recorder for Devizes, By Sea and by Land. Being a trip through Egypt, India, Ceylon, Australia, New Zealand, and America. All round the world (London: 1874).