[fragment]
London
25 May
My Dear Henry
Much as I long to see my little Ela, <1> I cannot leave town till after my sister <2> is gone. After an absence of two years & three Months I must make the most of her – She takes her daughter abroad the week after next, by the advice of Dr Chambers, to the waters of Carlsbad, & I know not when I shall see her again.
I can read in her face the sufferings <3> she has gone through since we met last, and she has still great cause to be uneasy about all her children.
Besides I do not wish even to look at L. abbey till I know what is to be settled about it – what is the use of encreasing [sic] an attachment if it is to be finally broken off? –
Pullen <4> who brought up the horses, took back with him your wild bulbs which should be planted immediately & likewise yr seeds &c from the coasts of the Mediterranean. As soon as you have sown them all safe in the ground you could not do better than come to see me, you will find your old friend [illegible] ready for you – Mr F. <5> is much better – but the weather is against everybody – cold North-east winds & no Sun – what a contrast to the other side the Alps!
Affly Yrs
We have brought a quantity of white porcelaine [sic] to supply the consumption of the Abbey but will not send it down till I have seen you.
I want to take Marianne (Esther’s Sister) Elms – as my chamber maid if you can spare her – But of course it must not be mentioned to her unless you & Constance <6> agree are quite willing to part with her – I like to promote Laycock people & I believe <7>
Notes:
1. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
2. Louisa Emma Petty Fitzmaurice, née Fox Strangways, Marchioness of Lansdowne (1785-1851), wife of Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1837-1838; WHFT's aunt.
3. In August 1836, Lady Lansdowne had lost her son William Thomas Fitzmaurice, Earl of Kerry (1811–1836), MP.
4. William Pullen, Lacock Abbey coachman.
5. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
6. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
7. Remainder of text missing.