Dabton
Thornhill
March 7th/68
My dear Papa,
I had a very nice letter from Rosamond, written the day after their arrival at Genoa – and she gives a good account of them all, saying that Mama had not been much tired by her journey – I hope the change will do her good – In a short time I suppose we shall hear what you are going to do – & when you will start to join them – I heard from Ernestine three days ago – in answer to a letter of mine, and she said they were going off the following day, to London as a first stage, where I suppose they are now – and then on to Cannes. It certainly seems very late for such a journey – as the worst of our spring is over now and in another month it will be getting pleasant here – Already all the bushes are covered with leaf buds and many spring flowers coming out – the snowdrops are quite over – but the damp is excessive – it rains nearly every day, & the ground is saturated The Gardener cannot get in his seeds – The children still suffer occasionally from relaxed sore throats which I attribute to the damp – but I hope all that will soon be over. I wrote to Charles the other day, as I supposed him to be still at Lacock – but I did not expect a reply, mine being an answer to two of his – The only piece of domestic news I think of is that Baby has now acquired confidence to stand upon her feet – she pulls herself up at a chair, & supports herself by it – she has not yet attempted to walk or to push a chair – but that will soon come now – She is quite satisfied with her own performances in the mean-time – The others send love to Grandpapa, & with the same from myself & John
I remain Yr affecte daughter
Tilly
[envelope:]
H.F. Talbot Esqr.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire-