Lacock, Saturday evening
August 13. 1870
My Dear Mlle Amélina
Yesterday we received three letters dated the 7th 8th and 10th which all arrived the same day showing that the post has become very irregular – but the last letter came uncommonly quick.
We on our part have written frequently, I think Constance has informed you that I wrote 4 letters to the hotel de l’Ancre at Ouchy, dated the 7th 8th 9th and 11th. Monie’s telegram arrived all right, and in the words which she gave in her subsequent letter. Only that it said were main to which the clerk at Chippenham appended a remark, that perhaps it meant we remain. If no telegrams were of more doubtful interpretation than this, the invention would be a very useful one. I am glad you both feel so comfortable and courageous – I think that as you like the lake of Geneva you had much better remain there for a little time till this war is over. Perhaps it will be so in a month. If ever Switzerland should become unquiet, you can retire by one of several railways marked in Bradshaw’s map, to Munich and thence to Cologne through central germany, Brussels and Ostend. I imagine central Germany and Belgium to be perfectly quiet – in Belgium the English are idolized, for the British Lion has given a roar and lifted up one paw, to protect Belgium. The minor newspapers are full of the most absurd Canards, which the Times despises and leaves to his “contemporaries” as he calls them. One was that the Prince Imperial was in London, whereas we find that he is still at Metz where both he and his worthy father are said to be on “short commons” because the Administration of the Army had forgotten to forward Supplies. I must say that the Chambre des Députés at Paris and the Senate are evincing much patriotism having unanimously voted 40 millions sterling, and the Suspension of cash payments, and thanks to the army with loud cheers. all this unanimously. It is true that they indulged in loud recriminations against each other and that Granier de Cassagnac proposed that Jules Favre should be shot, or at least deserved it, and the Left rush’d into the Centre (I mean, into the middle of the room) exclaiming Then shoot us all! After this explosion of Steam tranquillity was restored. There is too much in the Newspapers that is worth reading, it becomes impossible to read it all. I told you I think that we take in the Daily News for the servants, & from them it goes to Wilkins & thence to his friends in the Village – As there is now no Reading Room in the village this copy of the Daily News will be much appreciated.
Sunday Aug. 14
We come in hopes of a letter from you this Morning but none has come. Today is our blank day for newspaper news, but that is rather a Relief. Many of the letters of the different Correspondents of the Times are very interesting, Some of them exposed their lives to see the battles We hope to hear from you tomorrow
Yours affy
H. F. Talbot