Florence
May 3rd 1842
My dear Henry
We have written you two letters <1> to Frankfort with all the information we could give you, but of course it is impossible to say how long we shall be on the road from here to Munich, with all the contingencies that may arise. We shall certainly not leave this before the 16th & may be delayed longer, tho’ Ld Mt E. <2> is very anxious to be off on that day as he wants to be at Teplitz early in June.
It seems to me much better for you to come on straight here than be kept waiting for us at Munich, & we two could make much quicker progress than I could with them & all their train, which is a great point, as Mama <3> is so anxious to get me home – & you are also in a great hurry. I hope at any rate you will let me know directly what you have settled. I am afraid it would not be possible to effect a meeting at Verona or anywhere on the road. I am very sorry it should all turn out so unluckily for you, as at another time you might have enjoyed the journey – Poor Mama seems in great trouble about us – I wish she would not fidget herself so, it does no good. Amici <4> will be very much disappointed if you do not come, or only en passant – You can’t think how fond he is of us, & we like him extremely. He is not only such a dotto, <5> but very amusing & agreeable. I am glad to hear Uncle W. <6> is going home – perhaps we might travel in company. I can take no further steps about a carriage till I hear decidedly you are coming – & then I think I had better not actually buy it without you. I have heard of one they say very good, with [illegible], & plenty of boxes &c for which they ask 55£ – Addio fratello carissimo <7> – mind you write as you draw nearer that I may what [sic] is to become of me
yr aff sister
Horatia
At a vague guess, I shd think we could not be at Munich anyhow before the 26th or 28th
Monsieur
Mr Fox Talbot
Poste Restante
Munich
Bavière
Germania
Notes:
1. Only one letter has been located. [See Doc. No: 04497].
2. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
4. Prof Giovanni Battista Amici (1786–1868), Italian optician & man of science.
5. Scholar.
6. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
7. Goodbye dearest brother.