13 Great Stuart Street Edinburgh
Saturday May 25^th 1867

My dear Henry

D^o Begbie ^<1> has just seen Rosamond, ^<2> and I am glad to have no worse report to make to you than this. – That he finds no disease settled upon the lungs, – but that to shield her from the risk of mischief in her present very delicate state, we must be very careful in our choice of climate. – He hopes that in a short time, if the weather should change & her strength be sufficiently restored, we may get her to the West Coast of Scotland for a few weeks – Then to some more bracing locality – I trust that by the end of June or 1^st July when Bayer ^<3> writes you word he will be free to attend on us, (thanks for his letter of instructions) – we shall see our way more clearly, and be able still to go abroad – chusing of course the best climate for our dear Monie. I assure you that only yesterday I was beginning to despair of the continental journey, and to regret that you had gone so far as to engage the Courier – now I am cheered by D^o Begbie’s opinion, and feel how essentially Bayer will contribute to our comfort. Does Charles ^<4> content himself with this delay in our movements, and still intend to share our fortunes? He has written me the history of the armed truce between himself & the Vicar ^<5> – It is a curious position that the latter now takes up and I shall rejoice greatly if he decided eventually on resigning the Living. In the meantime I pity all the humbler portion of his Parishioners who are obliged to bend to his iron will.– Matilda ^<6> wrote us word the other day that they have taken a cottage in Kircudbright bay for July. It is a beautiful situation I believe, and of their own choice: you may remember perhaps that they made an excursion for the express purpose of viewing it when they were at Sandy hills – on Southerness – I hope they will have better weather for the Seaside than last year –

The Doctor’s directions to Monie are that she must continue the present course of diet & general treatment – only with the addition of cod liver oil, if the latter can be taken without interfering with her appetite. – I shall not write tomorrow (Sunday) – but will let you know how she progresses between this and Monday – posting my next letter before 5 o’clock on Monday. – Your affectionate

Constance –

Charles will like to read this letter.

[envelope:]
[printed on rear flap:] 13 Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh
H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire

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Notes:

1. Dr James Begbie (b. 1798), 3, Charlotte Sq, Edinburgh; a Consulting Physician with the College of Physicians.

2. Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock; 'Monie', artist & WHFT's 2^nd daughter.

3. Rev Edward Powell Nicholl (1831–1902), Vicar of Lacock from 1864 until his resignation in 1870; photographer. The nature of the friction is not known.

4. Charles Henry Talbot, 'Charlie' or 'Tally' (2 Feb 1842 - 26 Dec 1916), antiquary & WHFT's only son.

5. M J Bayer, courier to the Talbot family in the 1860s-1870s.

6. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3^rd daughter.