Tuesday April 18
My dear Henry
I think you will like to hear that Ela <1> is better today though not quite herself yet but I expect that all will be quite right by tomorrow if we should fail however in curing her so soon, you may be sure that we will not neglect to send for the Doctor. The little wee-Thing <2> is quite well; & so am I, having had a less dreamy night than usual I am afraid you will have had a dismal journey today, without a ray of sunshine here at least it has been unusually misty whereby I judge that the wind is even more in the East than usual I forgot to ask your wishes about letters, in case any should arrive for you during your absence Am I to forward them to Lacock? Do write to me as soon as you can, that I may know that you reached home in safety & pray say particularly how you found Mr Feilding <3> & whether Horatia <4> is returned .
I was thinking this morning what an excellent opportunity I might have during the next Month, of taking a few Music-Lessons if my friend Mr Busch is still to be heard of Do you approve the idea? I feel sorry to give up Music entirely, & I think that a very little instruction now would put me sufficiently en train <5> to play Duetes sometimes with Horatia; or a simple air for your own amusement when we are alone The chief impediment arises from my having left my small stock of Music at Lacock but I think you might easily find it, if you would take the trouble of looking in the little Tower room. I left it all together on a chair in company I believe with some portfolios of drawings or perhaps it is inside a portfolio. The Songs would be of no use to me so perhaps you would separate them from the rest It is all unbound
A parcel is just arrived for you from Rodwells <6> I long to peep into it. though I believe my inclination arises from mere curiosity as I have no scarcity of interesting books I have begun the Comte de Dohnas Memoirs & think I shall find it amusing. When you write, do tell me whether your Family are really coming this week & whether I may expect to see them before you return yourself I think that would be very strange but I suppose it is possible If you should be too busy to write yourself tomorrow, perhaps Horatia would give me a line to say how her Father is I have enquired after little Mary Fitzmaurice <7> & find that she is better it was not the Meazles only a bad cold I have had no visitors today.
Ever dearest your affectionate
Constance
H. F. Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Ela Theresa Talbot (18351893), WHFTs 1st daughter.
2. Rosamond Constance Monie Talbot (18371906), artist & WHFTs 2nd daughter.
3. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (17801837), Royal Navy; WHFTs step-father.
4. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, nιe Feilding (18101851), WHFTs half-sister.
5. In form.
6. Rev John Medows Rodwell (18081900), orientalist.
7. Lady Mary Fitzmaurice (b. 1835), daughter of William Thomas Fitzmaurice, Earl of Kerry (18111836), MP.
8. Either 4 sheets folded to eight leaves or 24 sheets.