5 Glocester Row Clifton <1>
Saturday June 3d
My dear Henry
Matilda <2> has been very happy today writing this weeny letter to you – We came to Clifton last Tuesday, & have had very wet weather every day – but till today we have contrived to snatch a hasty walk between the showers – What extraordinary weather for June! really it is difficult to believe that there is not some mistake in the Seasons – Though it is such sad weather, I do not regret having come here – for there was no use in waiting – & the air is drier here than in the shrubbery at Lacock – and our house on the Downs, near the Bath Hotel, is not at all a squeezy one – We had a band of music playing just before our windows on Thursday which delighted the children – they say it plays three times a week now when the weather is tolerable. I think Matilda is already the better for change of air & scene; for she is much less nervous & looks charmingly. All are well – Charlie <3> has been upset by a tooth but is quite recovered – He greatly approves of his Nursery-window, which is just low enough to allow of his eyes peeping out & discerning the figures which pass across the Down – but in the Dining room he can see objects on the road comfortably, & he expresses great delight whenever a carriage & horses drives past. – I have a bed room next the dining room, & the children <4> have the three rooms on the best bed room floor – two excellent airy sleeping rooms & a small day-nursery – so we are perfectly well lodged – two drawing rooms opening into each other – very cheerful & well furnished, the rent 4½ guineas – I had some difficulty in getting it for so short a time as three weeks –
Before I left home I ordered Carey, <5> to white wash the ceilings we talked of & to yellow-wash the kitchen & I wish I had asked your consent to have the brown gallery restored. – The walls & ceiling are both very dirty, but I could not venture to order them to be touched without leave – Carey told me that when originally done by him about fourteen or sixteen years ago (I forget which) the expense was £3. 12 – exclusive of the ceiling – He would only require ten days to do this if you would like it to be done – but I know you are not fond of improvements when they can be avoided – Next week I propose sending Price <6> to London to engage a Cook, that we may not be in distress on our return home –
Sunday – This morning it poured again till about ½ past nine – when to our great joy the clouds began to divide & soon after the sun shone brilliantly – and we have had a beautiful day – Ela & I went to Church & since dinner we have all been sauntering on the Downs – The air was so beautifully clean that everything looked charming – The Severn, Portshead <7> promontory, & the Welsh Coast were as distinct as possible – But there was an ungenial feel in the wind (though it blew from the West) that made me wish for 2 or 3 more shawls besides the thick one which I had on – At this moment the clouds are again gathering, which and look threatening for tomorrow. – Lady Elisabeth <8> took a cold with her to London & increased it at the Duke of Devonshire’s <9> déjeuner – but I think it must be passing off as she is deeply engaged in the business of the Fancy ball for the Poles tomorrow, of which she is a Patroness. – There seems to be something like gaiety at last – to make amends for giving up Lacock at this charming season; and I am sure both Lady Elisabeth & Horatia <10> left it with regret. –
I long to hear from you again & to learn how your business prospers – I have heard a rumour that you will be back soon – The children send you their love – Matilda sends a kiss here – – and Rosamond here – – and Ela here – –
Your affectionate
Constance
Notes:
1. Clifton, Bristol, on the Avon Gorge.
2. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
3. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
4. Also Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter and Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
5. William Carey (d. 1855), tiler and plasterer at Lacock Abbey.
6. Mrs Sarah Henneman, first m Price ( ca.1811–1848), housemaid at Lacock Abbey.
7. That is, Portishead.
8. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
9. Sir William George Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire (1790–1858).
10. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.