My dear Henry,
Many thanks for the drawings <1> which I showed to the Queen <2> yesterday evening after dinner, they met with universal admiration from a large party; I am sorry to tell you that the Queen was more struck by the exactness of the selm similitude of the ribbon, than the beauty of the ferns & grasses, the gauze ribbon she said was very curious, and she must try to do some herself.
The Anemone was the one I admired the most. All the veins in the flower were so beautifully distinct – why were there no fibres, or anything but the outlines of the fern to be seen, were the leaves too think for the light to penetrate through or have they no fibres or veins.
I am to have a visit from Horatia <3> today in my abode. I think I never saw her looking so well. Give my love to Constance <4>
And believe me Yr Affecte
Theresa Digby
Saturday April 13th
Notes:
1. Photogenic drawings - see Doc. No: 03859.
2. Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901).
3. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.