Hotel d’Orient, Paris
Thursday Aug 12th
My dear Henry
You have taken a great deal of affectionate thought for our getting comfortably across the Channel on Tuesday, on 1st day of favorable weather, after Tuesday.
From myself I promise to follow out your instructions & go below immediately, before the crowd of that day’s passengers from Paris – and I will use of my influence to persuade Ela, if possible, to do the same – Your advice to sleep at Boulogne is very good, and I mean to do so on Monday – By this arrangement alone, there is opportunity to observe the weather, and secure a tolerably smooth passage of which the variable state of the last week or ten days shews the necessity –
I have given up Fontainbleau, as you will conclude, from the date of this, (hôtel d’Orient) – it is because of my having had a painful sore throat since you last heard from me, & I believe I then mentioned having a cold. I nursed it for 3 days; and then feeling no improvement, I was persuaded to speak to an English Doctor, who rejoices in the name of Smith: – a man of colossal proportions, but gentle, insinuating manners – His prescriptions of Astringent gargle, external friction, and a generous diet, answered completely; relieving me at the same time from a fear of being laid up, which would have been most annoying when within 2 days’ journey of home. He assured me it was chiefly caused by debility – he thought too that I ought to go out & inhale oxygen from the atmosphere – and walk a little to warm myself – Accordingly we decided at 2 O clock yesterday, when Ela went to the Gallery of the Luxembourg I should walk in the garden of the same, and we had a closed carriage to take us there – So far well – Ela enjoyed her pictures, and I admired the gardens. But I found the weather rough and disagreeably chilly – and my power of walking, very low – So that I did not get at all warmed by this attempt at exercise – and today I have a rheumatic headache in consequence – I positively refused to stir out today, although the weather is much finer & warmer – but I am already feeling better now, than when I dressed this morning – and am glad to be left quietly to answer your letter, while Ela is delecting herself at Exposition Permanence.
Thank you for your promise of trains to London – but our altered plan seems to leave no choice – without the additional delay of sleeping at Folkestone also. – Possibly the traversée at 4.50 P.M. may indispose me for going on to London the same evening – (Tuesday) at 7 to arrive as late as 9. – so that it will be difficult to decide anything beforehand – Your letters are longer coming to Paris than they were at first – I have 2 to acknowledge today. Of Sat 7th which I received Tuesday – at 9. A.M. and Tuesday the 18th received today, Thursday, same hour. We are packing up by degrees, Henriette doing some portion each day before going out on business –
There was a Clock belonging to her poor mother, especially reserved for Henriette at the time other things were sold.– Of course there was no alternative but to have it properly packed & sent to Lacock – which has been done – The case is an ordinary white cumbrous box which could not form part of our travelling luggage. Bayer has therefore entrusted it to an Agent, & I named Alexis – (London Correspondent Athens) – It will be forwarded thence to L. Abbey – explain to Goodwin Your enclosure was from the Vevey Watchmaker, announcing that he had forwarded Ela’s watch, which she had left for him to clean & regulate. He had engaged to send it by private hand to her at Paris – but failed of his opportunity which was unlucky & expensive – Ela’s love & thanks for forwarding Annie Craig’s letter. It announced the engagement of her Sister Bessy to Mr Knox, officer in the 8th Hussars – with which pleases the family at Riscarton, much.
Yr affectionate
Constance
[envelope:]
Angleterre
H. F. Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham