My dear Henry,
Instead of troubling myself with writing, & you with reading, a lame appercu <1> of what the Papers contain I have ordered the Courier to be sent to you – I am willing to bet that everything will go smoother in France that [sic] could have been expected – but I wish the King <2> would run away – that would make all easy – I conclude however that the 2 Chambers will by a considerable majority vote the crown vacant by through the unconstitutional measures of the King, <3> & offer it to the Duke of Orleans <4> – Heaven forbid that they should split into parties some for a Republic, others for the D. of Bordeaux <5> &c &c. The end of all which would be a civil war – a conqueror & a military government – then Belgium, & the boundary of the Rhine, & now all over Europe – Cartwright <6> has appointed so late an Hour tomorrow to see Caroline <7> that we shall not be able to start till Friday – which pray make known – to the maids & Fitzsimmons <8> – & let Marchant <9> be told that 5 Horses will be at Lacock Friday Evg & that he must have the stable ready for them – We shall be down ourselves to Tea but probably late – I propose going through Windsor Forest to avoid ye Brentford <10> election
Yr affe
C.F
Wednesday
W. H. Fox Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. A misspelling for ‘aperçu’: summary.
2. Charles X (1757–1836).
3. Known as the July Revolution which was precipitated by Charles X’s 26 July publication of restrictive ordinances contrary to the spirit of the Charter of 1814. Protests and demonstrations were followed by three days of fighting over 27–29 July, the 2 August abdication of Charles X, and the 9 August proclamation of Louis-Philippe as “King of the French”.
4. Ferdinand-Louis-Philippe-Charles-Henri Orléans, Duke (1810–1842), son of Louis-Philippe of France, who succeeded to the title of Duc d’Orléans when his father became king (1830).
5. Louis-Antoine de Bourbon Angoulême, Duke Angoulême (1775–1844), was the elder son of the comte d’Artois (afterward Charles X of France) and Marie Thérèse of Savoy.
6. W Cartwright, Secretary, North Wilts Reform Association.
7. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
8. Cornelius Fitzsimmons, Scottish gardener at Lacock Abbey.
9. See Doc. No: 02983.
10. Town at influx of River Brent to the Thames in Middlesex, outside London.