Lacock
Novr 17. 1838
My Dear Mother
It does not surprise me to hear that yellow fogs prevail in London – Yesterday was very foggy here, & the night in consequence profoundly dark, so much so that I wonder how the Mails found their way. This morning however is very bright – the Miss Mundy’s <1> left us yesterday, intending to make two day’s <sic> journey to Weymouth. The Awdrys have finally left Reybridge, <2> & I am looking out for another tenant. Pray recommend it in all quarters – I am glad to hear the Infusoria <3> are well bound & look handsome. Don’t you think it was very well imagined to me to present this book to Lanelay <4> where they are all such great naturalists?
I will translate for you what M. Endlicher <5> of Vienna says respecting “Hermes” <6> in a letter to William.
– “I will not longer delay thanking you for your letter of the 13th September & the enclosed very interesting work of Mr Talbot. It will interest me highly to become acquainted with the continuation of these researches – & I pray you to thank the author in my name – If Mr Talbot would honour me with a correspondence by letter, I should perhaps be able to be of service to him by the communication of similar works, of which many now appear in Germany, & some of which may be called very profound & leading to very important consequences” –
What is Wright <7> doing now? If he is doing nothing but “pleasuring” I wish he would come back to take charge of the Abbey, that Nicole <8> may be at liberty to accompany me to Town –
I see by the papers Ld Northampton <9> is likely to be the new P.R.S. <10> I suppose he is as good a choice as any that could be made. There is a sad dearth of scientific aristocracy; & that in a country, the mainsprings of whose wealth & commerce are so intimately connected with the improvements of Science!
Novr 18th
Mr King <11> wrote in reply that he wished the Deed <12> to be sent to him, & it was sent by return of post. – I did not look out for the Asteroids – There is a long account of them in the papers, but it seems not to have been them, but an Aurora Borealis that came casually at the same time. I should like very much to be present at the Christening <13> – but as no time is fixed, it is very doubtful whether I shall be then in Town – I had fixed upon the name of Charles for my next, but what you tell me of Caroline’s <14> intention has made me begin to doubt about it again, as I think near relations ought not to have the same names, if it can be avoided – Today is a most heavy rain & all last night a deluge –
Your affte
Henry
Lady E. Feilding
46 Dover St
London
Notes:
1. The sisters of Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
2. Reybridge, Wiltshire, 1 mi N of Lacock.
3. See Doc. No: 03703, and Doc. No: 03753.
4. Llanely, or Lanely, Glamorganshire: home of Lady Mary Cole and Mary Thereza Talbot.
5. Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher (1804–1849), botanist.
6. Hermes: or Classical and Antiquarian Researches, No. 1. (London: Longman, Orme, Green, Brown & Longman, 1838).
7. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.
8. Nicolaas Henneman (1813–1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT’s valet, then assistant; photographer.
9. Spencer Joshua Aiwyne, the 2nd Marquess of Northampton (1790–1851), was president of the Royal Society from 1838 to 1848.
10. President of the Royal Society.
11. Of William Read King & Son, solicitors, London.
12. See Doc. No: 03753.
13. Of Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
14. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.