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Document number: 04862
Date: 03 Aug 1843
Postmark: 3 Aug 1843
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Constance, née Mundy
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number: envelope 22915
Last updated: 23rd January 2011

Marle Hill <1>
½ past eight –

My dear Henry

Nothing could be more prosperous than our journey – & no difficulty whatever presented itself at Cirencester – The terminus was thronged with Coaches and Omnibuses – but I was determined to get something else if possible – so I walked quietly to the end of the Station while William <2> was busy collecting the boxes – & I presently saw a man standing alone, & looking something like an hostler – He immediately ran off in pursuit of another man belonging to the Inn who said I could have any carriages I wished – so we agreed to his terms of posting at 15d a mile had our luggage placed on trucks & we then followed it to the Inn close by – We had 2 nice s double flys half open; for the weather had cleared very much by that time – Marian <3> & I & the three eldest <4> went in the first & our 5 maids with Charlie <5> in the 2d escorted by William – We kept together all the way & had a very pleasant drive to Cheltenham – The children were a little tired at last but we got through it altogether much better than usual – Marian was 40m. behind time at Swindon, owing they said, to the heavy wind – and this delay made our arrival here as late as a quarter past five – I am told the post does not go out till ten – so I hope this letter will be forwarded – Marian is quite knocked up with her journey & gone to lie down – The children are fast asleep except Charlie who will not settle – We received a very warm welcome –

Your affectionate
Constance –

[envelope]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham


Notes:

1. Marle-Hill House, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

2. William Pullen, Lacock Abbey coachman.

3. Her sister, Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).

4. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1st daughter; Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), 'Rose'; 'Monie'; artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter; died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock; Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3rd daughter; m. John Henry Gilchrist-Clark 16 Jun 1859.

5. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.