Lacock Abbey
Friday Oct 2d
My dear Henry
My Brother <1> arrived yesterday at six o’clock – and was very sorry to find you were gone – but he could not manage to get through his business in time for Wednesday. He goes tomorrow by the earliest train to Bath, where he expects to find the Weymouth & Dorchester Coach waiting at the Station – he means to spend Sunday at Moreton <2> & cross on Tuesday from Southampton to Hâvre. – He is very well & has amused [illegible deletion] us much with accounts of his travels.
Mr Awdry <3> brought the deed <4> today – fully prepared for the signature – which was done in the presence of 2 Witnesses – Mr Awdry & George. <5> We had a great deal of rain all the morning – but about three it cleared a little & I walked with my Brother into Wick Lane & fields beyond – where we observed the railway marked out & the work begun near the Corsham road – It was one of the wettest walks I ever took – but very pretty – & part of it rather scrambling & difficult –
Matilda <6> was delighted with the shilling you left in my hands for her yesterday.
Mr Kenrick <7> called her today in his way from Sloperton <8> – & told us that Mr Moore was in a very nervous uncomfortable state. –
Your affectionate
Constance
Notes:
1. Francis Mundy (29 Aug 1771 – 6 May 1837), politician and father of Constance Talbot.
2. Moreton, Dorset: home of the Frampton family.
3. West Awdry (1807–1892), solicitor, Chippenham.
4. Deed of Exchange relating to sale of land for railway bridges on the Lacock Estate. See Doc. No: 05755, Doc. No: 05790, Doc. No: 05866, Doc. No: 05917.
5. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
6. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
7. Dr George Cranmer Kenrick, surgeon living at The Grove, Melksham.
8. Sloperton Cottage, Wiltshire, 1 mi E of Lacock: home of Thomas Moore, the Irish poet.