Lacock Abbey
Nov 15. –
My dear Henry
I am so glad your Cambridge excursion did you good, especially as it was of no avail in procuring Lord Lyttleton’s <1> <sic> election. – Was his defeat expected –? –
What a storm we had on Thursday night & Friday! you should have been at Brighton or somewhere on the Coast to have admired the raging of the Sea. Alas! for those unfortunate creatures who were upon it! – I think, if you are serious about Clifton, <2> it would be best for you to pick me up before you determine on a house – As it is such an easy thing to go over to Clifton & back to Lacock the same day – & I might assist in scrutinizing the merits & demerits of any house that you might take a fancy to. This is thrown out for your consideration, & you will of course act upon it or not as you judge best – I am quite horrified at the deplorable railway accident of which the Globe <3> gives an account today, – & I hope you will if possible avoid travelling by the railroad when you come back. – I assure you it has quite taken away my wish to go on any railroad again – It is so very horrible to think of one’s life being cut short in that manner.
Do think of this – my dear dear Henry! –
Your affectionate
Constance
Our chicks are all well –
I wish you would buy Mr Moore’s <4> 3d vol– of Irish History. – he will not give it us now I think.
Notes:
1. Sir George William Lyttleton, 4th Baron Frankley (1817–1876), politician & scholar.
2. Clifton, Bristol, on the Avon Gorge.
3. The Globe (London).
4. Thomas Moore (1780–1852), Irish poet, The History of Ireland (London: Longmans, Green, 1835–1845).