11 Randolph Crescent
Thursday

My dear Papa

I am afraid you must find Lacock rather dreary today if you have a high west wind whistling round the house similar to the one blowing here at present – In Cumberland too we hear it is Stormy by a letter M^r Wake received from Ormathwaite this morning – but it appears we are to have no real winter for it cannot be cold two days following.

M^r Wake came to us on Monday, as they could no longer spare him a room in George Sq^r when Sarah Spedding and her Uncle arrived there & will remain with us I Suppose a few days. Sarah luckily arrived just in time to go with Mamma & Tilly to M^rs Cockburn’s ball which we were very glad of, as she is fond of them and gets very few in general – There will be another tonight and a music party tomorrow so she will have quite a gay week. –

I had a nice letter from Charles the other day – he seemed delighted that you should have met D^r Vaughan in such an agreeable and unexpected manner –

On Tuesday, the day after you left us, Mamma and I drove to Newhailes about 6 miles off passing through Portotello (the first time we had gone that road) it has very nice sands and is rather a large village with a few Villas & generally ugly looking houses – I suppose in the Summer the Edinburgh shop Keepers go there for the benefit of the Sea air –

I am glad the Rhododendrons arrived Safe – We are intending to go the first leisure day to Comely bank for they say the early Kind is coming into flower there but I suppose there is no hurry yet, as you did not tell us of anything to be seen when you were there the other day –

Good bye dear Papa L yr affectionate daughter
Ela

We have begun reading Philip 2^d together & I am sure it will be very interesting

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts