[engraved address:]
Speddoch
Dumfries
N. B.

May 31^st 1864.

My dear Papa,

We have heard from Monie of your safe arrival at Lacock, and we hope that you are all getting rested from your journey. Charles wrote to me the other day, (please thank him for his letter, which I will answer soon) that the frost at Lacock had killed the tops of some of the potatoes – At that time we had only had a slight touch here, which did not do much mischief, but since then we had eight degrees of frost one night, and this morning the servants found ice in the poultry yard when they got up. It has killed the tops of the common wild ferns of the district! done more harm to them than to anything else. Today it is very hot and sunny – but the air is still sharp in the shade. Mamie wishes me to tell you that the Times was sent here yesterday from Edinburgh, which she did not expect – and she thought that perhaps in the bustle of leaving you might not have written to have the papers sent to Lacock – If any now come here, do you wish them forwarded? – We take in a London paper and the Courant, so we get as much news as we want, although we do not see the Times. – I suppose you have heard from Mama; I hope she got on comfortably – I don’t know on what day she intended to reach Cheltenham, therefore I have not written to her, but I should like to know what you have heard of her movements – Jack & Baby send their love to Grandpapa – Mamie thanks Monie for her letter – I think the change of air has already done her much good. With love to Ela, Monie & Charles

I am your most affec^te daughter
Tilly.

Johnnie can’t send any messages, as he is away as usual.

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^r.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire