Carruchan
Dumfries
Feb 4th 1868
My dear Papa
It is such a long time since we have had any news of you, that I am beginning to wonder what you are doing, whether you are still at Lacock, and what your plans are likely to be – When y do you intend to go abroad? and will you join the others at San Remo, or do you think they will move to some other place, which may suit Mama better; for I fear that this has decidedly been a failure in her case, however well it appears to have suited the others – I have only had one letter from her since the one to you which you sent for me to read, & it only gave a middling account of herself – Rosamond writes very cheerfully as regards her own health – and she says the flowers are beginning to come out a little – but it must have been an unusually severe winter for that part of the world. John had a letter today from an old friend at Nice, & he complains bitterly of the cold there = Here we have had most variable days; some cold, some mild, but all stormy – like several equinoxial gales one after the other = the changes are between snow storms one day & rain storms the next. it is very tedious – I see from the London papers that there has been a dreadful storm there – We came here on this day week, and had intended returning to Dabton today – but now we shall stay till the end of the week I think –
The children are all well, & send their love. Only think of baby being past a year old!
John also sends love to you – I am yr most affecte daughter
Tilly
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqr.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire-