Wednesday March 20^th

My dear Henry

This morning the post brought me the enclosed note & a book – a Birthday present for Rosamond ^<1> from her godmother. ^<2> It is the very book which you told me you had looked at & rejected, Mary Howitt’s ^<3> translation of the German & French stories – But as it is now presented to her I suppose you will like her to keep it & read it – She is extremely delighted with it – As you intend to see M^rs Nicholl, I think I need not write to thank her for it – because you can mention its safe arrival, & say how very much pleased her god-daughter is – Twelve stamps were affixed, but there should have been 38 to free the parcel – as it weighed above 13 oz – The postmistress has charged me 2/8 – the sum which should have been paid to free it – I imagine she ought to have deducted 6 ounces for the 12 stamps & charged me double postage for the remaining 8 ^<4> – This moment I perceive that she is right & I was wrong in my calculation – as 2/4 would have freed the parcel – Miss King ^<5> is literally overjoyed by my proposal & tomorrow I shall know her mother’s sentiments as I wrote to her yesterday – M^rs Moore ^<6> cannot come this week, having made other arrangements. –

I find from Humphries ^<7> that your seeds can have excellent shelter on the upper shelves of the Greenhouse – I should have sowed them today – I mean the Horticultural ones, if the morning had not turned off so showery after luncheon – In the early part we got a very pleasant walk – I want very much to hear that you are a little better – if not, that you have determined to have advice –

Your affectionate
Constance –

[envelope:]
H F Talbot Esq^r
31 Sackville Street
London

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Notes:

1. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2^nd daughter.

2. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).

3. Mary Howitt (1799–1888).

4. She appeared to be unsure of her calculations as the figures of 38 and 8 are written over her original figures of 22 and 7.

5. Governess to WHFT’s children from August 1843 into 1844.

6. Wife of Thomas Moore (1780–1852), Irish poet.

7. John Humphries, gardener at Lacock Abbey in the early 1840’s.