Dabton Thornhill
Dec. 9th 1868
My dear Papa,
I sent you two epistles from the children, who were anxious to put in a word to induce you to write more positively that you would come here at Christmas, not only at, but some time before Christmas. The weather is so mild now, that I cannot think the journey would do you any harm – but if you wait very much longer, it may be colder also, you will perceive from the date of this letter, that we really did return here yesterday, & found everything in tolerable order. – I had an interview with the new gardener today, & he appears to be a sensible man – I had a letter from Charles written just before he left London to go abroad, & it was all about Politics – I suppose you have heard of the strange state of matters here – how Sir Sidney Waterlow’s election was irregular & invalid, as he was a government contractor, at the time of his election, and only gave up his contract since which it appears, is not sufficient – Therefore we are to have the whole thing over again! & what complicated matters very much, is that Major Walker refuses to stand again, & they have to seek, in a hurry for another Candidate. Altogether the country is quite unsettled & uncomfortable with all this going on –
Post is going, so I must close this – I will only add that Connie’s remarkable letter will interest you more when I tell you that she has not been taught the shapes of any of the letters except M. C. E. & O. the others she has picked up from observation – They all send their loves, & with the same from John & me, & hoping to get a more satisfactory letter from you soon, I remain, your most affecte daughter
Tilly
The Ink is too liquid & makes blots! –
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire-