Lacock Abbey
June 23^d

My dear Henry

I must request your attention to the Post office business as it cannot wait your return: – besides you will have the opportunity of talking it over with Lady Elisabeth ^<1> now that you are together. – First you had better read the letter of the Post-mistress; afterwards the other enclosure – which has been composed by Sir John Awdry ^<2> & the object of which you will see is to restore our Lacock Postman & have the letters delivered as usual at each person’s house – Otherwise we shall be obliged to send a daily messenger of our own to that Lacock post office & not even enjoy the security of a private bag unless the post mistress at Chippenham ^<3> receives the Fee.

There seems to be but one feeling in the Parish on the subject – for all have signed to whom the paper has been carried round – It was brought to me yesterday with the three first signatures only – Sir John wished it to be brought here though the Post man told him you were absent – I therefore sent a message offering to send it up to you – which was eagerly accepted as [illegible deletion] your signature is thought to be very desirable – M^r Sotheron’s ^<4> also is much wished for, and I think you might contrive to send it to him (as of course he is in Town) & ask him to enclose it back to me by return of Post –

I am glad you are going to the Meeting at Manchester ^<5> – as the weather is favorable in regard to coolness & the journey easy by the Railroad.

I believe M^r Strangways ^<6> is in London – have you asked him to be Godfather? The vaccination goes on quite well – and the little dear not at all inconvenienced by it at present – we have had abundance of rain to refresh the garden & make it beautiful for your return. –

Your affectionate
Constance

½ past 5. – The Postman has just returned with the paper having completed the list of signatures. – He says it is not wanted again here – and you are therefore requested to forward it to the General Post office after you have signed it yourself & procured M^r Sotheron’s – if you can –

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Notes:

1. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.

2. John Awdry (1766–1844), solicitor, Reybridge.

3. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.

4. Thomas Henry Sutton Sotheron Bucknall Estcourt (1801–1876), MP.

5. British Association for the Advancement of Science which opened there on 28th June 1842. [See Doc. No: 04653].

6. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4^th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat. On 2 August 1842, he agreed to be the godfather of Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son. See Doc. No: 04560, which dates this document to 1842.