Christchurch
Tuesday 10th
My dear Henry
Your indirect information was quite correct – we landed at Folkestone Wednesday &, arrived here Thursday – having had a very prosperous journey. We went from Arguata to Turin by railway wh shortens the dull road over the plain of Piemont [sic] – & from Chamberg came by a new way over the Mt du Chat looking down on the Lac de Bourjet – & then thro’ a narrow gage by the Rhone very striking – I wonder more people do not take this road instead of going round by Lyons. At Dijon there were great preparations going on for the opening of the railroad. Afterwards at Paris I saw the President going along the Boulevard on his return, with 2 handsome carriages & an escort of cavalry & an accompaniment of mob shouting Vivé la république – a sound distasteful to his ears. It was very hot at Paris – a great contrast to the weather here – we have scarcely seen the sun since we landed & Oxford looks dingy to the last degree – We expect Caroline <1> here today in her way to town for the Fancy ball – & according to her advice I shall go there in a day or two or stay quiet here a little time longer. Mr Nicholl <2> has most kindly lent us his house in B. Square, but we must get servants & make some arrangements before we can settle there. I am very sorry about Wright, <3> as I was reckoning on having him to assist at our [illegible] if he was not equal to coming back for good. I hope we shall find you still in town –
yr aff sister
Horatia
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre.
Athenæum Club
London
Notes:
1. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
2. Dr John Nicholl (1797–1853), MP.
3. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.