Sir,
Some time having elapsed since I last had the honor of addressing you I trust you will not impute the apparent neglect to want of attention on my part to your anxiety respecting the health of Mrs Vickery, <1> but from not having any material alterations in her state to communicate, she has suffered great variableness of disease but tho still in a very debilitated state I consider her upon the whole to be advancing gradually to restoration & was it not for a dyspeptic state of the stomach from which she now chiefly suffers I should say she was free from diseases for the removal of which I look forward particularly to the advancement of the present season, which has been hitherto very unfavorable for her – cold damp &c. I am happy to say I have induced her to move a short distance from the City where she is now comfortably situated both as to the parties with whom she is & also being in an open situation with a free & pure air. She has requested me to convey her respectful duty to You –
& believe me Sir – With sentiments of respect Your Obt Hble Servt
Howard E Day
Bristol
May 14. 1835
H.F. Talbot Esqr
Sackville St <2>
London
Notes:
1. Elizabeth Vickery ‘Betty’, WHFT’s governess, who would pass away on 25 September 1835. WHFT paid to have a gravestone placed at Cutcombe, Somerset, inscribed: 'Erected to the Memory of Elizbth Vickery his kind & faithful nurse by Henry Fox Talbot of Lacock Abbey in the country of Wilts Esqre'; the stone's inscription is still readable - See Doc. No: 03205. Rev Day was responsible for the arrangements for the stone.
2. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.