Saturday
My dear Henry –
Monie <1> wrote to you on the day of the Eclipse, <2> and of course reported to you the small observations that we were enabled to make here. We are still expecting your report, but we can scarcely doubt that all was most favorable at Lacock, – as in all in other places of which we read the notices – Of course our Edinburgh atmosphere made a difference here; but Matilda <3> saw the whole thing beautifully at Dabton. <4> We are very glad that Charles <5> has gone to spend Xmas with you – it is a shade better than each of you apart – We have a very winterly look with the snow which fell a few days ago: and the post continues steadily & prevents the snow from melting in the Streets.
I had a letter form Harriot <6> today, describing the cold as rather secure at Markeaton. <7> My Brother <8> feels it a good deal, & is obliged to be very careful, which he does not like – but he resigns himself to necessity, & continues tolerably well in consequence. They are alone – while Noel & Emily <9> spend their Xmas at Thornton – intending to return for the New Year. Matilda says that she has asked you to go & see them at Dabton – while we continue unprepared for your coming on to Edinburgh. Monie would mention that I had received your last letter, <10> accompanying Mr Roach <11>’s Sermon – I dare say he delivered it well & impressibely – but I don’t think he can be rightly judged by a written sermon. I have also had a letter from Mrs Roach,<12> which I am answering by today’s post. She requests a contribution towards paying the school children’s tea which is to be on the 29th. They have been getting up three Xmas trees which will be likely to please, as new to our School children. They have collected articles enough to dress [illegible deletion] separate trees, for the boys, girls and Infants. And the tea is to be on the same occasion – I am willing to give 10/ myself, and have desired Mrs Roach to ask you to pay it for me. She omitted to say what sum is required – perhaps you can learn, and given her some small contribution yoruself, if necessary. – But a tea feast is not expensive. Since I got your letter I have spoken to Mushet <13> and directed him to pay all those rates &c &c, which he did during our 3 years absence. And he promises me to do so. I do not propose to make any new arrangements with M’Call, <14> but just let it stand as at present, an engagement by the week – We shall not want him after Thomas <15> comes – & we shall be glad of the change, for he is become exceedingly careless & unsatisfactory since he took a wife – always running out to see her, when he should be attending to his work. And really we are paying too high for that sort of thing. I cannot say anything of Goodwin <16> today – but shall know what Dr Moir <17> reports at the next visit –
your affectionate
Constance
Saturday
Notes:
1. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
2. It took place on 22 December 1870, which dates this document to 24 December 1870.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
4. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
5. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
6. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
7. Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, NW of Derby: home of the Mundy family.
8. William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
9. Francis Noel Mundy (1833-1903), WHFT's nephew, and his wife Emily Maria Georgiana, née Cavendish (1845-1929).
10. See Doc. No: 09741.
11. Edwin Osmond Roach (1828-1876), Irish-born Vicar at St Cyriac's, Lacock, 1870-1876; Asst Provincial Grand Chaplain, Freemason. [See Doc. No: 09738].
12. Mary Roach (b. 1832), wife of the Vicar.
13. John Mushet & Son, property agent, Edinburgh.
14. MaCall, servant.
15. A servant.
16. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
17. Dr John Moir (b 1809), French-born to British parents, MD, 52 Castle St, Edinburgh.