Penrice

Feb^ry 19

My dear Henry

We did not stay at Lanelay but came on here where we found M^r Traherne & Charlotte which was a great pleasure to us, they are now gone home & I am happy to say are very tolerably well but they feel the cold very much & do not enjoy a good walk in this bright sunshine as I do! it does me good tho’ it is rather melancholy to go about alone here I have my thoughts so much at Rome when there is no one to speak to! & poor dear Jane at such a distance & so unable to bear the journey must be uppermost in my mind. her Son John is a most dutiful, steady & affec^e young Man & is most anxious to do every thing he possibly can to save his dear Mother in every way. but he can never replace such a Father to his Brothers nor guide them in their different ways, the three youngest have got their professions to be chosen for them. Lucy’s health has improved latterly very much but she could not (I suppose) return to England before the summer if Jane was able to bear the journey so we must have patience & hope that her health may improve by & bye & her dear Children’s too so as to enable all to be moved with safety. –

Mamma’s health is but middling the dear Childⁿ here enliven her and she does them good so no doubt this is the best plan for us now. I go about amongst my old friends & tho’ I have many a painful “discourse” with them their sympathy is real and therefore gratifying to me. –

I am glad you have only one invalid in your house this weather is very trying to many but much more healthy than the wet we had. –

The sun shines brightly & it is very pleasant here at all times as you know. Chris^r goes up to Town & down again frequently. –

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With our kind love believe me Your aff^ate coz

Mary

Saturday

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Henry Fox Talbot Esqre

Lacock Abbey

Chippenham