[crest SPH]
Merstham
April 3d
My dear Henry
I was so glad to see your hand writing again, & I was in hopes you were coming to us for a few days on your way to the Continent: you pass close to this house when you go by Merstham Station, you will find us quite alone till the 17th if you will come –
I have written to Mrs Hy Strangways by the early post to enquire about Miss White, & to save time I have asked her to give Matilda all the information she can directly.
I tried to gain particulars from Mrs Strangways, & she tells me, she knows only the Vicar Mr White very well, and she thinks him very gentlemanlike, & well informed, & neither high, nor low in his Church views – I do hope, that Mrs Hy Strangways will be able to say she knows the Daughters, as it is desirable to be very particular before engaging a governess –
I hope your garden is in a satisfactory state, and trust your losses are not many from the Winter –
I heard of Caroline Mt Edgcumb [sic] from Ly Digby (who is staying at Nice with the Barings), first after her arrival from Cannes –
I hope you will find Mrs Talbot, & all your Party well – Believe me
Yours Very sincerely
Sophia P. Hylton
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham