Tuesday 14 Novr
Dear Henry
We were surprized yesterday Morning by the sudden arrival of Caroline, <1> in the middle of that yellow fog, to cheer us. She had asked the Queen’s <2> leave to spend the day with me, & returned after dark (which is a figure of speech, for it was dark all day) to Windsor, where they never dine till half past 8, which is very convenient. She shewed those little Talbotypes <3> you sent her lately to the Queen Sunday Evg, who was so delighted with them that C. thought herself obliged to offer them, & C. is to stick them into the Album you gave the Q. Her majesty sent for her magnifying glass to inspect them. C. took up all my time yesterday, so that I shall be forced to stay here another day. Constance <4> can equally go tomorrow if she likes because Wright <5> will see her safe on board & Pullen <6> will meet her, but all this she will of course write to you herself, & I have not seen her since the day before yesterday. My plan for her would be to go early tomorrow to Windsor & see the Castle sous les auspices de Caroline <7> & go on by the 3 o’clock train to L. abbey. I would lend her Wright & he could return here when she went on
Notes:
1. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
2. Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901).
3. While his mother and many friends preferred to honor the inventor's name, in parallel with the daguerreotype, WHFT stayed with his original term of calotype.
4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
5. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.
6. William Pullen, Lacock Abbey coachman.
7. Under Caroline’s auspices.