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Document number: 01749
Date: 07 Dec 1828
Postmark: 8 Dec 1828
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: FEILDING Elisabeth Theresa, née Fox Strangways
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA28-103
Last updated: 12th December 2010

Laycock abbey
7th December

My Dear Henry

I did not write because a Letter from Caroline <1> to you having remained unanswered I thought it had fallen in to the hands of some other Talbot with which the world abounds, & therefore did not write till I knew more particularly where to direct. Kit <2> remained here a fortnight & went up to town with Mr F. <3> who is going to Burley & Cottesmore & Middleton & will be away at least 3 weeks, if not more. We were surprized yesterday by a visit from George Dawson <4> about an hour before Dinner he stays till Tuesday. I wish you were here, he b heb is so agreeable. Kit seemed to like this place extremely & is determined to build a Tower to his new house & a large Hall like this, & above all things secret stair cases! Tell me some more about Brighton & some news to enliven us. If that is true about Ld John, <5> all I can say is she appears to have more judgment than he has, for indubitably they are very unsuited. all the Corrys <6> are again congregated at Melbury previous to their departure which takes place on the 10th but how long they may be detained at Plymouth the winds only can tell.

affly yrs Dearest
ETF

They are going on with the terrace

W. H. Fox Talbot Esqr
8. Devonshire Place
Brighton

Notes:

1. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.

2. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.

3. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.

4. See Doc. No: 00331.

5. Probably John Russell (1792–1878), 1st Earl Russell.

6. Somerset Lowry-Corry, 2nd Earl Belmore (1774–1841), Governor of Jamaica, and his wife, Lady Juliana, Countess Belmore, née Butler (1783-1861), with their family. They were departing for Jamaica and were probably joined by their son, Armar Lowry-Corry (1801-1845), Viscount Corry until 1841, then 3rd Earl Belmore, and his wife, Emma Louise, née Shepherd (1814-1904).