Farrance's Hotel <1>
Wednesday
20th June
My dear Henry
We arrived here late Sunday evg & squeezed in with great difficulty some of us obliged to lodge out, the Hotels are all so full now. Next morning I was so pleased to have a letter from Constance <2> saying she was so much better - It was a great relief to my mind. I feel quite bewildered, with so many people glad to see one after such a long absence - & things to be done - Aunt L. <3> was at Bowood <4> so we have not seen her yet - but had a glimpse of Uncle Harry <5> Monday evg sadly altered - & Carry & Mr Kerrison <6> in their way thro' - Mr Nicholl Mr Montgomerie, Louisa Gallwey & poor C. de Bonneval <7> very unwell - Sir C. Lemon <8> &c I have to look for a maid - go to the dentist & all sorts of bothers -
I saw poor Aunt August Monday - C. <9> declined going into Waiting yesterday but next Tuesday is to begin & go on a week longer instead.
Hoping to find you all tolerably flourishing when I arrive
Yr aff sister
Horatia
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Farrance's Hotel, Belgrave Street, London.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811-1880), WHFT's wife.
3. Louisa Emma Petty Fitzmaurice, née Fox Strangways, Marchioness of Lansdowne (1785-1851), wife of Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1837-1838; WHFT's aunt.
4. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
5. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787-1858).
6. Caroline Margaret Fox-Strangways (d. 1895), daughter of the 3rd Lord Ilchester, WHFT's cousin; and her husband Sir Edward Kerrison (d. 1886).
7. Dr John Nicholl (1797-1853), MP; Rev George Stephen Molyneux Montgomerie (1790-1850), close friend of Talbot family, artist, Rector of Garboldisham, near Thetford, Norfolk; Louisa Gallwey (1811-1872), dau of Lt Gen Sir William Payne Gallwey, 1st Bart (1759-1831) and Lady Harriet Payne Gallwey (1784-1845), née Quin, and her brother-in-law, Count de Bonneval see Doc. No: 06534.
8. Sir Charles Lemon (1784-1868), politician & scientist; WHFT's uncle.
9. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808-1881); WHFT's half-sister.