Lacock Abbey
Sunday October 13th
My dear Henry
I received your letter from Jedburgh yesterday <1>– it was 3 days on the road which I think rather long in these days of steam conveyance – I was afraid the dark weather would be a sad hindrance to you – but as the environs of Jedburgh are so pretty as you describe them, I dare say you filled up your time well. If the "deep vallies watered by rural streams" pleased you in gloomy weather how charming they would appear under brighter circumstances! and I think that is the kind of scenery you would like to fix in for your summer residence – Shall we all go there next year if the Belgian scheme should fail? – You have a nice opportunity during this tour for looking about & perhaps you may chance to meet with something attractive – I suppose Uncle John <2> is not singular in his taste – & he has found a paradise – I am so sorry you grew seriously anxious about us all – when nothing could be more prosperous than our state and all well at Mount Edgcumbe <3> too – with the exception indeed of Ld Mt E. <4> I had letters today from Caroline & Lady Elisabeth <5>– who was going back to Mt Edgcumbe yesterday – Caroline’s I will send for your perusal – Lady Elisabeth says the storm at Carclew <6> on Wednesday was tremendous – a window of the Library & one in the Dining room were blown in & several large Spanish Chesnuts blown down – The Lansdownes <7> were as fortunate at Louis Philippe <8> in having crossed just before – I must go soon I suppose & enquire how they all are at Bowood <9>– Lord L was rather lucky to be in time for the grand ceremony at Windsor on Friday. Lady Elisabeth says "I have heard the whole history of Louisa F[?] from Sir C. <10> – Moreton is a deplorable house now – only 3 people in it, often only 2 – and never meeting or speaking to each other – or else Charlton & his Father<11> making a sort of party against Louisa, who is however often in the wrong from temper & exasperation" – Can you imagine anything so uncomfortable? – I am quite curious to hear the explanation – it seems so very strange –
We are all as florishing [sic] as when I wrote last. My 2d letter to Edinburgh <12> was despatched on Thursday –
Your affectionate
Constance.
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
post office
Edinburgh
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 05096.
2. John George Charles Fox Strangways (1803–1859), MP.
3. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
4. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
5. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister and Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
6. Carclew, Cornwall, 3 mi N of Penryn: seat of Sir Charles Lemon.
7. Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), MP, WHFT’s uncle and his wife, Louisa Emma Petty Fitzmaurice, née Fox Strangways, Marchioness of Lansdowne (1785-1851), Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1837-1838, WHFT's aunt.
8. Louis-Philippe of France (1773–1850), King of France (1830–1848).
9. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne
10. Sir Charles Lemon (1784–1868), politician & scientist; WHFT’s uncle.
11. Moreton, Dorset: home of the Frampton family.
12. See Doc. No: 05098.