Merthyr mawr <1>
Tuesday
My dear Henry
I was very sorry to hear from Hart Mundy <2> that you had been obliged to take Ela <3> to Bath. I hope the waters will cure her completely I know the warm bath is a very efficaceous [sic] & pleasant remedy for the Rheumatism and I have found it very useful myself formerly for an old sprain which pained me very much when I walked but has never troubled me since.
I have got the Alliums ready to send you. I think I must have made a mistake about the name, as when I saw the seed heads it appeared to me to be the Allium siculum I shall send a dry head that you may judge for yourself.
Mamma <4> is very busy preparing her Garden for the winter as altho’ the frosts have not as yet spoiled any thing, we are going away for some time and it must be done up now. – We are going to Marazion first of all & the country of Tree won’t grow <5> as you used to call it! I shall often think of our pleasant visit when you were with us & wish very much for you as my companion in my solitary walks, we fully intend paying Sir C. Lemon <6> a visit and Mrs Tremayne also –
Jane <7> does not start until the end of this month Lucy sends good accounts she is on her way to Nice and will remain there until her Father can accompany Jane to join them.
Your affate coz
Mary
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Notes:
1. Merthyr Mawr, Glamorgan, on River Ogwr.
2. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
3. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter. Ela’s trip to Bath dates this letter to the Autumn of 1847. [See Doc. No: 06002].
4. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.
5. A play on Cornish place names.
6. Sir Charles Lemon (1784–1868), politician & scientist; WHFT’s uncle.
7. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).