13. Great Stuart St
Friday June 14.
My dear Henry
The weather continues too unsettled & windy to tempt us to the Seaside at present; and I believe we are not losing time by chusing the safer course of staying where we are. – There would be a risk of Monie<1> catching cold in an illbuilt lodging at Silloth<2> or elsewhere – and she is making very fair & steady progress at present. You shall have due notice of anything positive in our arrangements; and in the meantime you can go on writing to Edinburgh – for in the event of our leaving, the letters would be safely forwarded; as I wish Goodwin<3> to remain 2 days after us to look to arrangements for the Inventory with the Agent. I hope you are not greatly inconvenienced by being all this time without a Servant, for indeed here he is most useful in many ways – Matilda<4> writes from Ross bay that the weather was perfect summer with them on Tuesday – but that Wednesday & Thursday were most unpleasant – cold & windy – and she was obliged to keep Willie<5> indoors, as he is not very well, – perhaps with teething. Monie has not been out except the 2 days I told you of… today there is less wind, but it is very showery – and quite unfit for an Invalid –
I had some talk with Dr Moir<6> yesterday as to the present state of her health: as I told you I fancied there was still something beyond debility in the case. He explained to me that the absorption of what oppressed the lungs at the time she suffered from pleurisy, is still going on, and may continue for several weeks – so that he cannot expect a complete cure during our stay at Edinburgh, but and that he has no wish to keep her here under his care till that perfect re-establishmt of her health. Under these circumstances it will be judicious I think to let Dr Begbie<7> see her once more, but as late as we can before leaving Edinburgh – and receive his instructions as well as Dr Moir’s for her future guidance – I speaking of Matilda I forgot to say that she is delighted with the spot they have chosen and she expects to fill her sketch book when the weather becomes more settled, as the scenery is charming.
The Basket of Lacock vegetables has just been opened – please to tell Wilkins that the Roses & other flowers are quite fresh & beautiful – and I am glad to hear his report that Wednesday’s fête went off so well. – He has sent us a delicious dish of strawberries, so sweet & good! and all the vegetables very nice. –
Your affectionate
Constance
Ela’s<8> love & thanks for your letter, which crossed one she wrote to you – Mamie,<9> vous fait beaucoup d’amitiés, and she envies you the pleasure of that most perfect moment for Lacock – in the midst of roses, acacias, seringa, &c
Monie’s love and mine –
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire
Notes:
1. Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock; 'Monie', artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter.
2. Silloth, or Silloth-on-Solway, a port town in Cumbria.
3. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
4. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3rd daughter.
5. 'Bab' (Baby), William 'Willie' Gilchrist-Clark, later Rev William Clark-Maxwell (1865-1935).
6. Dr John Moir (b 1809), French-born to British parents, MD, 52 Castle St, Edinburgh.
7. Dr James Begbie (b. 1798), 3, Charlotte Sq, Edinburgh; a Consulting Physician with the College of Physicians.
8. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1st daughter.
9. Amélina Petit de Billier, 'Mamie', 'Amandier' (1798- 8 September 1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].