My Dear Henry –
Wm <1> is safe at Brussels, & has at last answered my letter – Baptiste <2> is abroad & engaged for the present – but Williams man recommends a person called Antonietto <3> whose Wife is Housekeeper at Lord Pembrokes <4> – who he thinks would suit for you – he is not engaged – I know nothing of him – but Wm says if you wish to enquire about him it must be of Mrs Antonietto at Ld P– s House in London – I believe Ld P. lives in [text missing] <5> Gardens but you can easily find out – The Dykes have left Brussels which is a disappointment to Wm & now live at Bolougne Boulogne Mrs Dyke is a sister of Mr Lemons <6> – I send your letters come this Evg – my love to Charley Lemon <7> – & pray tell your cousin Ht <8> with my love that I am very, very much obliged for the Franks come tonight, & her letter –
ever my Dear Henry most affectionately yours
Tam <9>
Saturday night
[address panel:]
1825 Sherborne, Jany twenty three, Ilchester <10>
H. F. Talbot Esqr
Moreton <11>
Dorchester
Dorset
Notes:
1. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat
2. A manservant employed 1823/1824 by Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father and perhaps by William Strangways. [See Doc. No: 01076, and Doc. No: 01169].
3. See Doc. No: 01241.
4. George Augustus Herbert, 11th earl of Pembroke (1759–1827).
5. Text torn away under seal.
6. Sir Charles Lemon (1784–1868), politician & scientist; WHFT’s uncle
7. The son of Sir Charles Lemon (1784–1868), politician & scientist; WHFT’s uncle, and Lady Charlotte Anne Lemon, née Strangways (d. 1826), WHFT’s aunt. His death precipitated that of his mother.
8. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
9. ‘Tam’ was the nickname for Mrs Campbell in the Strangways family. See Louisa Charlotte Frampton, ‘Princess Charlotte and Mrs Campbell’, The Gentleman’s Magazine, n.s. v. 27, September 1876, pp. 275-289. Mrs. Campbell, a close family friend of the Framptons, first joined Princess Charlotte’s household in 1805.
10. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).
11. Moreton, Dorset: home of the Frampton family.