13 Great Stuart Street Edinburgh
Monday May 27.

My dear Henry

My last letter would reach you a day later, owing to the interruption of the Sunday. – but you know ere now the opinion which D^o Begbie^<1> gave of our dear Rosamond.^<2> – I am glad to say that today she appears rather more brisk than she did yesterday; but she changes so much, that sometimes a better morning is followed by a more languid evening. We were lucky to get possession of our hamper of vegetables as soon as it reached Edinburgh yesterday (Sunday) – It ought to have been here on Saturday at 2 o’clock – but it was delayed, owing probably to the extra traffic on the railways for the Queen’s Birthday. – Late on Saturday evening Goodwin^<3> found by enquirey at the Station that it was not arrived – and he made interest with one of the Porters to deliver it at our house, if it should come by a morning train, on Sunday. This arrangement succeeded – so that we had our Asparagus & Salad for our early dinner – and the specimen of Bomaria was delivered into the hands of Miss Cecilia Gibson Craig^<4> – who called expressly for it on her return from Church to Hermiston a little after one. – She carried it home to her Sister, who is still confined to the house though better. – and they took it very kindly that you should have thought of sending it for them. Wilkins^<5> wrote a few lines in the basket, & gave a very nice account of the kittens & their mothers, which pleased Monie. He said the frosts had cut up the Potatoes sadly & injured many things – what a pity! – but did you ever known such a severe Spring? – Our weather continued dry & cold till yesterday, which was rainy – and today we have frequent heavy showers – D^o M.^<6> says there are signs of a change, – and that the air is already less sharp. – Your affectionate

Constance

I have directed Goodwin to get H. F. T. painted on the covers of our trunks & the outsides of all other packing cases, according to Bayer’s instructions – Fortunately all our trunks have flat tops, but one – and we have sufficient in number without that one. – Goodwin is quite pleased to know that you have engaged a Courier.^<7>

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire

---

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. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.

4.Mary Cecilia Gibson-Craig (b 1800 or 1804), daughter of Sir James Gibson-Craig, Scottish politician.

5. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.

6. Dr John Moir (b 1809), French-born to British parents, MD, 52 Castle St, Edinburgh.

7. M J Bayer, a courier for the Talbot family in the 1860s and 1870s - see Doc. No: 08180 and passim.