Lacock Abbey,
Chippenham.
October 2 – 1868
My Dear Mlle Amélina
According to your desire I have opened the packet which came for you, and I find it to be Stilwell’s account, made up to the 19th September at which time there was due to you £52ּּ19ּּ0 I do not think it is necessary to send it to you per post, but I will do so if you wish it. It would go by book post in England, but possibly foreign post offices might raise a difficulty as it is not printed matter, & they might charge it as a letter. I received yours this morning – I hope Constance received mine of the 26th –
I was very much grieved at poor Tilly’s disappointment but thankful to hear that she was so well – Do not go over the Bologna-Pistoja railway before it is well mended. Can’t you go round by Ancona? a pretty city, with a Cathedral looking down upon the Sea – From thence to Florence there ought to be a rail, but I forget whether there is one. Prince Arthur has had the courage to go over the Mt Cenis railway & found it all right & graciously expressed his approbation.
Kit Talbot & his daughters are gone that way to Naples. I am glad your weather is grown so delightfully cool. Here it is very fine & very cool. I have taken to fires, which seem quite natural in the Abbey – Wilkins is gone on a visit to Merthyr Mawr. I suppose you will stop at Vicenza and Verona and Bologna – and where else? before you get to Florence.
Love to all Your affte
H. F. Talbot