Lacock
Friday March 19
My dear Charles
I am very glad to hear that you got safely across the Channel, for tonight a gale of wind seems rising, and rough weather may be expected for some days – You did not give me time enough to write to you; for I wrote the very day I got your direction “Post Office Munich” and I believe my letter got there the day after you left.
I received yours from Munich Cologne and Dover. I am sorry the weather was so cold in Germany as to make sightseeing uncomfortable. I heard from your mother <1> today, all well – And I heard from Tilly, <2> who has been for a week to Edinburgh. They are going to have a new Election in Dumfriesshire – with the same 2 candidates. <3> – I will procure the Royal Institution <4> tickets for you when I am in Town. I am going to Cotehele on Monday to see your aunt Caroline, <5> & shall return here about Friday, & stay here about 3 or 4 days, & then go to London, & so to the Continent. I enclose a letter from Awdry <6> & a Jury summons It reads very peremptory but is really optional.
Your affte
Father
Envelope:
Charles H. TalbotNew University Club
St James’s St
London
S.W.
Notes:
1. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
2. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
3. Col George Gustavus Walker (1831–1897), Magistrate for the Stewartry of Kirkudbright; a moderate Conservative MP for Dumfriesshire, 1865–1868 and from 1869–1874. He was opposed by Sir Sydney Hedley Waterlow (1822–1906), Sheriff of London, 1866–1867, Lord Mayor of London, 1872–1873, Liberal MP for Dumfriesshire for only a few months in 1869.
4. Royal Institution, London.
5. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
6. West Awdry (1807–1892), solicitor, Chippenham.