Dabton
August 25^th 1864

My dear Papa,

Your Grandson was very much pleased with his letter which he received this morning, and he begs his love & thanks to Grand Papa, Grandmama, & everybody else – But I am in a state of extreme indignation – because when I thought I was getting a nice letter from you, there should not be one word for me! – not even a word to tell me how you have been feeling lately, and you leave me to find out by the postmark that you are still at Lacock, and have not yet started on your excursion into Devonshire, as I though you had done – You did not even put the day of the month, nor the year, Oh Papa! . . . so that Jack would never have found out from the letter that it was his birthday, if he had not been otherwise told! – On the whole I dont think I owe you an answer at all – so please consider that this is not one, but only written to tell you that you ought to write to me, as soon as possible to make up for my disappointment this morning – Are you not soon going to try a little change of air –? It is surely the best thing, even if you have had no more uncomfortable days, which I hope, as I have not heard for a day or two – but it would keep them off altogether – Jack has been very good all day, and has received two picture books and a slate to draw on – and he has had his tea out of doors o the grass. He is growing very fast now – and showed a wonderful amount of moderation today, when the cook asked him if he would like some jam in his pudding because it was his birthday – He said she must not put much in it, because it would make him sick to have much jam! – Baby is getting on fast – She runs about everywhere & plays at hide & seek with her brother – goodbye, dear Papa Love to all –

I remain your affec^te daughter
Tilly –

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^r
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire-