London
24th July
My Dear Henry
I have received your two letters from Leamington you say the weather is dark & dull, here it has been pouring & is now as dark as November. In the midst of the rain yesterday we went to the Breakfast at the Duchess of Bedford’s <1> and as it was impossible to walk in the beautiful garden, they danced till dark. She had an excellent fire in one drawing room & strawberries & cream in another, coffee & Ices in a third & dancing in the 4th – I give her great credit for the fire it is quite a new idea at a Breakfast & much in accordance with moral ideas in England. I am in communication with both Mr Tarrant & Rodwell <2> & shall direct this as you desire to York tho’ you do not say what day you are to get there. I went to the H. of Lords & heard Brougham <3> thunder & thump the table
Affly yrs
E F
Warwick Castle is I think second only to Mt Edgcumbe <4> & I have seen most of the fine places in England. I advise you not to indulge in your usual impatience, but stay at places (that are worth it) till the Sun will shine
Notes:
1. Anna Maria Russell, née Stanhope, 7th Duchess of Bedford.
2. Alfred Tarrant, 4 Agar Street, London, was the bookbinder for WHFT's Sun Pictures in Scotland. Sold by subscription, they were distributed by John Rodwell, bookseller, 46 New Bond Street, London.
3. Henry Peter Brougham, Baron of Brougham & Voux (1778–1868), Lord Chancellor. He was probably talking on the subject of law reform.
4. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.