Oakfield
Tuesday Oct 16th
My dear Henry
I have this morning received the mournful news of my dear Sisters death– so long expected, and which now comes as a blessed release, after so much suffering – It took place at half past eight on Sunday morning – Mr Gilder <1> was with her when she breathed her last and he has expressed to me his trust that it was unattended by suffering – His daughters had never left her and were as kind & affectionate as if she had been their own mother – The only change that occurred previously was very indistinct vision through the night – and much confusion & wandering of the mind – Her pure Spirit is now at rest – and we should be selfish to wish her back again in this world of sorrow. – But you will feel how vividly my present loss of a sole surviving sister brings up recollections of the past – of so many beloved ones among whom I lived, and who were once the centre of my affections – the all in all to me – Tomorrow I shall turn my thoughts more readily to the blessings that remain. – to those for whom alone, I shall live in future.
I received your letter of Saturday as well as one from Goodwin, by yesterday’s post – and am very glad of the decision you came to in domestic matters at Lacock – I hope you may meet with a servant quickly to replace Thomas – and I sure Goodwin will do his best in the enquiry – and he knows so well what you require –
I shall be much interested to hear of your proceedings with Charles at Cambridge – Do you remain there till after he has passed his examination? – I shall better know how in what way to write to him after you have given me a report. I trust the weather will have cleared with you today, as it has done here – for yesterday was very wet. – though Sunday was fine. I wrote you a line about houses on Sunday and directed to the Athenæum. – I think you had better tell Charles of his Aunt’s death. – he knew of her long & hopeless illness –
Tilly write from Speddoch in excellent spirits –
Your affectionate
Constance.
Tomorrow we shall send an enclosure to you for Goodwin, about some commissions in London, unless we receive by the morning’s post an independent address from himself.
[address panel:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Athenæum Club
London – S.W.
Notes:
1. Her sister, Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).