8 June
My Dear Henry
I am glad you did not forget to write, as I felt very nervous, which was not lessened by William <1> coming in the Evening & declaring nothing would ever tempt <sic> to trust himself on a rail way. When he came he was evidently (almost uncivilly to us) disappointed at finding you were gone, but was a little comforted to hear you were coming back. There is an account in the Papers of a narrow escape on that very railway the day before, but luckily I did not see it till after your letter. Within five minutes after reading it I sent to Sir Charles <2> for the Voucher, for fear (as is sometimes the case) that the ticket should be doubled if sent for after a certain date. Mrs Groves <3> came yesterday Evening, but declined taking any money for her journey. Elle avait le visage épanoui <4> & had lost her dismal expression I liked her much better than before, & told her she would have two very charming little children to take care of, & the thoughts of that seemed to cheer her. Louisa says she will think herself in Heaven at Laycock Abbey after Newfoundland. Tell Reid <5> not to send large new potatoes, I can buy them here, & would not give a pin for them unless they are very small. I suppose it is no secret now that he is going, let me know this – because I shall have accounts to settle with him through Wright, <6> including the things Fussell <7> sends up weekly Tell Constance <8> not to send up her Blind Man’s basket, as my rage for x stitch has entirely subsided, and consequently I dont want anything to hold my worsteds. I wish she would tell me the state of the Walls of the new old room, probably they are not yet dry enough for papering. I believe I shall send by Mrs Groves, a root of periwinkle that grows in Ld Lansdowne’s <9> garden at Richmond, if so may ask C– to take care of it & have it planted in some particular place
How would you go to any Inn at Maidenhead but the Sun? I conclude you got on afterwards to Speenhamland <10> to avoid a long evening at Reading
Wright will see Mrs Groves off at the coach office
London. June eight 1838 W F Strangways
H. F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
2. Sir Charles Lemon (1784–1868), politician & scientist; WHFT’s uncle.
3. See Doc. No: 03686.
4. She had a beaming face.
5. John Reid, head gardener at Lacock Abbey.
6. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.
7. Stephen Fussell. [See Doc. No: 02983].
8. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
9. Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), MP, WHFT’s uncle.
10. A suburb of Newbury, Berks. [See Doc. No: 03649].