Florence
Tuesday May 10th 1842
My dear Henry
We received yesterday your’s <1> [sic] and Mamma’s of the 29th <2> by which I am sorry to see that you have been so unwell – A journey across the Alps is the most likely thing in the world to set you up, & at this season your mind will be agreeably diverted by Botany – I am certain that the extreme & continued tension you keep it in, upon one subject, is the most injurious thing you can possibly do for it. – I am sorry you have again put off your journey to the 4th as with the utmost exertion you cd not be here in time – We shall therefore I suppose, meet at Munich, where we expect to be on the 29th leaving this Tuesday 17th poz.
Now I hope you did not set out so soon as the 4th as if you did I am afraid you will have to wait for us some time & be bored & that would be a pity after hurrying yourself away. It was lucky I did not take any further steps about buying a carriage here now I think we might manage to do without one altogether, as there is a railroad from M. to Augsburg & we could contrive somehow easily to get from there to the Rhine, & once there we are landed – or rather embarked – I hope we shall not miss each other or get into any confusione owing to our respective uncertainty – I have written to you at Fr. & Munich, & now to Heidelb. as you desired, but perhaps you have changed your mind again & gone somewhere else Pray write to Munich if anything shd occur to prevent your meeting us there on the 29th & if you could write one line P.R. Verona it wd quiet my mind en attendant. <3>
Addio yr aff Sister
Horatia
How very unlucky about your Mrs Bennet! <4>
Monsieur
M. Fox Talbot
Poste Restante
Heidelberg
G. Duché de Bade
Germania
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 04494.
2. Letter not located.
3. While waiting.
4. See Doc. No: 04494.