[The wrapper for this letter is in a private collection:]
Henry F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
[his aunt had recycled the wrapper from a letter sent to her in July!],/p>
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My dear Henry
I love you dearly! That is the principal thing I have to say – I had heard of Adl Codringn <1> letter, & the last letters from Kit <2> made it, I thought, very probable before I heard it. we have only had an old letter a month before the last which had been sent overland – very amusing however. we are going for the rest of this week Genl Wardes <3> (near Swansea) but next week I will transplant some of my favourites into your parterre. – love to all & believe me
your affe Aunt
Mary L: Cole
we have found more Caves & more bones & curious Celts & spear heads & coins!!!Notes:
1. Sir Edward Codrington (1770–1851), admiral and liberal MP. He destroyed the Egyptian and Turkish fleets in the battle of Navarino.
2. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
3. Possibly Sir Henry Warde (1766–1834).