London
Dec 6. 1851
My dear Constance
The amethysts in the cabinet were purchased many years ago at a sale of jewellery – They were going so extremely cheap that I bought them;– They were pretty ones but we have not lost anything of much value. Charles’s <1> holidays begin on Wednesday the 17th Mr Williams will bring him to Swindon by the express at 9.18 in the morning –
Henneman <2> is going to increase his establishment; and have a workshop or small manufactory in the suburbs of London – I find, though I have not yet spoken to Jones <3> on the subject, that he is desirous of leaving our service and engaging with Henneman as foreman of his new establishment, of course giving me a month’s notice. I do not think there would be much objection to this arrangement, and I wish to consult you about it – In that case I think George <4> ought to become butler as he has now been with us many years, and I have heard of a good footman who might be engaged. He is Mr Hallam’s <5> nephew, aged 19, and his uncle speaks highly of him. I have not seen him, being very busy, and wishing to know how you like the general idea of such an arrangement. I hope Wilkins’s <6> zeal for floriculture will not abate owing to my absence – I think it would encourage him if you were to have some of the stove plants in flower brought into the drawing room & placed in a stand and changed from time to time. The Lion is engraving the engraver having met with an accident is the reason he is so slow about it. Pray look at the Athenæum of today and I expect you will see a long account of a new photographic process of mine. <7> M Ferrier <8> the artist shown at Lacock the other day wrote to Henneman, Ah! how I wish I was back again in England. I will come and work for you on Your own terms. Je veux quitter ce malheureux pays! <9>I hope to return home now in a few days –
Your affte
Henry
Notes:
1. Charles Henry Talbot, 'Tally" (2 Feb 1842 - 26 Dec 1916), antiquary & WHFT's only son.
2. Nicolaas Henneman (1813-1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT's valet, then assistant; photographer; opened calotype printing studio in Reading in 1843 and transferred to London in 1847. Seeking more room and an escape from the city's smog, he set up a new printing establishment at Kensal Green.
3. George Jones (b. 1816), butler at Lacock. He took the post with Henneman, but later regretted it, and lost that position early in 1853 - see Doc. No: 06734.
4. George Goodwin (1822-1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
5. Possibly Samuel Hallam, member of the Conservative Club.
6. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.
7. For this text, see Doc. No: 06525.
8. Claude Marie Ferrier (1811-1889), photographer & photographic publisher, Paris. He had visited Lacock and photographed there with Henneman - see Doc. No: 06509.
9. I want to leave this unfortunate country!