Saturday
My Dear Henry
You must send me the height of the Tomb in the Church yard, from the ground which includes the Stone steps. Pray answer this by return of post.
I wrote you a thick letter <1> yesterday but am not sure it was in time for William <2> to post. Jane <3> drank tea here last night, She said her Mother <4> expected you on the 10th & had been long complaining that you did not write to fix a day, which you might have done sooner, & is always more convenient for both parties. Your carpet is by this time arrived chez vous <5> – What does Constance <6> think of it? She never answered me about our two Kings of <Bradford?> at least not explicitly.
affly yrs
E F
Did Mr M. ever receive that pièce d’or? <7> If not, I fear too much time has now elapsed to be able to recover it from the Post office.Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. The only surviving letter dated 6th July 1838 is Doc. No: 03703.
2. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
3. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).
4. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.
5. At our house.
6. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
7. Gold coin.