Venice Monday 15.
My dear Henry,
Will you, please answer this letter of Mrs Gordon, yourself?<1> – and explain that I am at Venice & have referred the matter to you, as alone competent to give her the information she desires – I see from the date of her letter that she [ill.del.] is at Clifton – perhaps on account of her Niece’s health, the late Mrs Brewster’s daughter, whom I heard of some time back, as thought to be consumptive. – Perhaps you may decide on calling upon Mrs Gordon by appointment at Clifton, in preference to writing? – Mdlle Amélina thanks you for you letter received by the last post – and we are glad to hear that you think of going to Cotehele – We have news today of Charles from Munich – the 12th Friday which he talked of leaving that day – remarking that he had received no letters. I fear therefore he did not get the one you addressed to him, poste restante, Munich – Rosamond is now writing to him at his Club, London – as we do not expect he will loiter much on his return journey. We receive by Galazinani regularly – Yesterday we had splendid weather for the celebration of the Kin’s Birthday – and nothing could be prettier than the gay display of tricolor flags &c &c. – Today was so different! raining without a moment’s cessation – but very mild. – so I dare say it will bring on the Spring – I write these few lines in haste, so save the post, so adieu – with much love, but hoping you will not come out untill we can promise you fine weather –
Your affectionate
Constance
[envelope:]
Angleterre
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Her letter was found in the library of Lacock Abbey, laid into a copy of Margaret Maria Gordon's The Home Life of Sir David Brewster. By his Daughter Mrs. Gordon (Edinburgh: Edmonston and Douglas, 1807), 2nd ed. (the first edition was published in 1869). It is now in the collection of Andrew Cahan. Any reply that WHFT may have made has not been traced - however, a few days later he related an anecdote reflecting his relationship with Sir David to his son - see Doc. No: 04881.
1. Tottenham Place
Clifton, Bristol
March 11th
My dear Mrs Fox Talbot
I do not know where you are this winter – so I shall take the chance of this letter finding you out with its very imperfect address.
I am engaged in writing a short life of my dear Father tt has been much called for and which will be a small pioneer of the large Scientific Life wh some man of science will appear be found able & willing to devote time to I hope attempt at present there is nothing of the kind in contemplation – not being scientific myself of course I do not tread on that ground. But I find that in 1836 my dear father paid his first visit to Lacock Abbey and from that time his interest in Photography must have commenced. That subject was so continued in all his studies & interests & is moreover so popular that I shd like much to treat of it. Could you & Mr Fox Talbot kindly give me any recollections or anecdotes connected with any of his visits to you? I shd feel extremely obliged –
I hope you are all well this winter – here we have a little touch of frost last week but no snow
with our wishes kind regards believe me dear Mrs Talbot Yours very sincerely
M. M. Gordon