My dearest Henry –
It would have been as well perhaps if you had acceded to Mr Mundays <1> offer, & allowed the [illegible] to be 500 · as you could have added an hundred more by Will, at any Time but it is too late now to do anything – I wonder Mr King <2> behaved so ill – what can have come to him –? with respect to his son – it is usual I believe to name the Solicitor employed in drawing the settlements or some one in used to business & having a knowledge of the Estate &ca – King was one of Caroline’s <3> Trustees for some Part at least, & Stilwell <4> for another because they being acquainted with the Property vested [were?] the [illegible] [Persons?] – of young King I know nothing except that he is now, or is to be his Fathers Partner & to succeed him –
We have only ½ an Hour to reply by return of Post which is one reason why my Note is more than usually illegibly [sic]
Yr aff
C F.
[address panel]
Henry Talbot Esqr
Laycock abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. Misspelling of Francis Mundy (1771–1837), politician and father of Constance Talbot.
2. Of William Read King & Son, solicitors, London.
3. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
4. Of Stilwell & Company.