London
13 Decr 1845
My Dear Mother
Just at present it would be an inopportune moment to send the pictures; the Queen <1> is so occupied with politics – Besides I expect Nicole <2> will make better copies – Suppose you ask Constance <3> to varnish those Caroline <4> likes best, and mount them, and see how they look then.
We partly sanctioned that miniature painter in colouring the Prince of Wales, <5> since we returned it to him to be finished, & therefore I think we must some of us buy it, or return it. The price is two guineas –
I am glad you are going to have a spread. Your party <6> sounds pleasant – I wonder what Ld Lansdowne <7> will say to Mr Sotheron <8> about the all engrossing subject of politics – Peel <9> is the most amusing statesman I know of: his career is quite delightful. One of the two gents who saw the Cloisters is I understand our future Clergyman Mr Bowerbank; at least I hear the Bp of Gloucester <10> has appointed him, & that he is an agreeable person.
If Mr Bridges <11> is going to Syria immediately, nothing can be done for him in the way of photographic instruction but if he is going to stay a month longer in England I should have no objection to Nicole’s teaching him the art, if he will promise us in return some good Syrian views, especially Jerusalem –
I shall not return to Lacock yet awhile, so you need not disturb the maids at their Confessions.
Yours affly
Henry
Notes:
1. Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901).
2. Nicolaas Henneman (1813–1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT’s valet, then assistant; photographer.
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
5. Edward VII (1841–1910), King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British dominions and emperor of India from 1901.
6. See Doc. No: 05463.
7. Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), MP, WHFT’s uncle.
8. Thomas Henry Sutton Sotheron Bucknall Estcourt (1801–1876), MP.
9. Sir Robert Peel (1788–1850), Prime Minister.
10. Rev Lewis Bowerbank (1782-1853), curate of St Cyriac's, Lacock ,1846-1847; former Rector of St Catherines, Jamaica, 1823-1843; friend of Rev George Bridges. Appointed by James Henry Monk (1784–1856), Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol.
11. Rev George Wilson Bridges (1788–1863), photographer and traveller. [See Doc. No: 05463].