4, The Circus,
Bath.
17th Janry Wednesday
My dear Papa,
I dare say you are very disconsolate in the midst of this wind and rain, hardly daring to venture out anywhere, & certainly not farther than your Club. It has never ceased pouring since last night, and really the country must have had enough now to last some time one would think.
Charles wrote from Chester yesterday that he would turn up here today or tomorrow, but I hardly expect him in the midst of this storm. At Dabton all the children, except the two youngest, were in but with bad colds, which was particularly unlucky as Miss Gordon was expected yesterday.
Now if you should go any day in the direction of Kensington, to the Museum or somewhere I should be really exceedingly grateful if you would enquire at the house of Mrs Lancaster 20 Phillimore gardens, Kensington as to what has become of my dear friends Mr and Mrs Alfred Lancaster. My letter which I wrote some time ago, has never been answered, and I feel uneasy about them, as he is extremely delicate, and she I believe expected another baby about this time, and was very ill with the first; so something may have happened to one of them. At the same time, as they were going into a new house, (the address I have given you is that of his mother,) my letter may never have reached them.
So you see you might at the door enquire their present direction & of their welfare without giving yourself very much trouble.
I am waited for to read Tichborne; (how interesting the A. G.s speech is, & brings out several quite new and convincing prooffs [sic] ) so goodbye, with much love,
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond
[envelope, imprinted "4, The Circus, Bath" on flap:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Athenĉum Club
London.