[on notepaper with Talbot crest]

Penllergare
Saturday

My dear Henry

There was no time to write to you yesterday after our arrival, because the post leaves at 3 o’clock. We had a very prosperous journey – and no change of carriages at Gloucester, which was a great comfort – At Swindon we had no waiting – only sufficient time to get tickets & see our luggage moved across to the other line – and as there were many travellers (as there always are by Express) this could not be accomplished in a hurry – On reaching Landore, which is a suburb of Swansea, we alighted from the train, (which then proceeded on its course to Milford Haven) and were taken by a branch into Swansea – There we found a fly waiting for us by order of M^rs Llewelyn and drove immediately to Penllergare, leaving Thomas to bring up our luggage on a Trap (as they call it) because the roof of our fly was not adapted for carrying it. – We had very fine weather, though not so bright as it is today – and we admired the views particularly in various portions of our journey, and more especially through Glamorgans – Passing close to Margam, we were struck by the beauty of its woods & the imposing appearance of the house, and guessed it must be Margam. – The part of Swansea which we passed through, as well as the immediate vicinity, is frightfully smoky – but on leaving it & turning into the woods & park of Penllergare, the change is very striking – and the beauty of this place altogether surpasses my expectation – I have yet only admired the view from the windows but we may are to go out presently. We have had a séance of Steel engraving – discoursing on the process, but could do nothing, for want of Steel plates. – M^rs Llewelyn is writing at this moment to the Manufacturer for some – & hopes they will be received on Tuesday – but in the mean time, (if you can spare 2 or 3 of the small ones which you have) & send them off to her immediately, she thinks it may save a day or two – for she fears the manufacturer may not be prepared to send by return of post. Our welcome was a very warm one – and nothing omitted to make us comfortable. – If the weather only holds up we shall be very at no loss for interest, both indoors & out. We have a bright sun, but a strong keen wind today –

your affectionate,
Constance.

Your Campanula & Morina are pronounced to be quite new & very interesting – Mary Talbot is expected here on Monday, so that she will receive her plant of Morina without delay – Penllergare is about 4 or 5 miles from Swansea – chiefly through M^r Llewelyn’s grounds – I have been studying the position of Penrice & other places by the help of a beautiful map which hangs in the Billiard room – M^r Llewelyn & Emma caught bad colds in London, but they are recovering & going out as usual – I have scrawled this sadly, but my pen is very indifferent & ink pale. –