My Dear Henry
We miss you very much, & hope you will soon come back. Louisa L. <1> has been in bed ever since the Party, Dr Chambers will not let her get up, he says her muscles are strained by too much standing, in the morning with the Queen, <2> & in the Evg with the Dss of Gloucester. <3> Nothing is come for you yet except the enclosed left by a Clerk from Hammersley’s. <4> Dont forget to send yr excuse to the D. of Devonshire <5> Mr Moore <6> has not dined with us but that once, he is engaged every day two or three deep. Tell Constance <7> for her comfort that the smell of paint goes off quickly this time of year. It is a pleasant smell I think & gives one the idea of newness & cleanness. I hope it is all done to your satisfaction
London May twentyone 1838 W Strangways <8>
H. Fox Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Louisa Emma Petty Fitzmaurice, née Fox Strangways, Marchioness of Lansdowne (1785-1851), wife of Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1837-1838; WHFT's aunt. [See Doc. No: 03424].
2. Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901).
3. Mary, Duchess of Gloucester (1776–1857), daughter of King George III.
4. Hammersley & Company, bankers, London.
5. Sir William George Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire (1790–1858).
6. Thomas Moore (1780–1852), Irish poet.
7. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
8. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.