Hotel de l’Europe, Venice
Sunday Aug. 30^th

My dear Papa,

I should have written some days ago had we not been looking out for a letter from you, as Mamma was expecting an answer and she was rather disappointed this morning on getting only a very short little line from yourself accompanying the inclosures from M^rs Vardon. It was hardly worth while sending these as they were merely thanks for the usual vegetables and preserves and were so heavy. – It was kind of you writing yourself to M^rs Vardon; but I hope she won’t act upon your suggestion of writing to Mamma again here, for it is useless to encourage her correspondence, especially when so far away – If you are in want of foreign paper for you letters we think that Goodwin can easily find some for you in one of the boxes – We will mention it to him in sending the directions –

We were much interested in reading Aunt Caroline’s letter the other day – we had already read of the terrible occurrence in Galignani – the accounts given have been very full and circumstantial, taken from the Times and other papers – It is dreadful to think that such a catastrophe could be produced (as it now appears) simply from an act of carelessness on the part of the people employed to shunt the trucks, and what a pity it is that they do not find some other means of conveying such dreadfully dangerous and explosive materials.

Mamma wishes me to say that she is hoping soon for an answer to her letter of last Monday respecting the letter of credit; – as we shall not be able to leave Venice till we receive it – You cannot think how pleasant it has been here lately, since the great heat has diminished – and Monie has been sketching very perseverely – We went the other day to the island of S^t Helena Elena – so green and pretty – and we found there what I take to be a species of Arbor Vitea is it not? covered with small blueish whiteish berries that at a short distance had something the appearance of large bushes of heath in flower – till you got near enough to see that it was fruit. I send you a specimen –

We quite revel here in excellent figs, grapes and peaches – so good and sweet and in such abandance! [sic] I fear you have nothing like them yet at Lacock –

Mamma has written a line to M^rs Vardon which I enclose – Will you kindly forward it to her.

I do not think dear Papa that there is much to say today – so I will now wish good bye

Y^r affec^te daughter
Ela

If Charles is returned, will you thank him for his letter to Monie – She also wishes me to mention one of yours which she received a few days ago. –

[envelope:]
Angleterre
H F Talbot, Esq^r
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham