Sackville Street <1>
28th February
My Dear Henry
You are quite mistaken, I suppose owing to my confused manner of narrating – being often while writing surrounded by brothers & nephews talking, the other day I signed a note in answer to an invitation to dinner, Elisabeth Strangways It is odd that any absence of mind should make one’s pen take a direction it had not gone in for so many years. Lord Northampton <2> was very civil but cool about my son’s photographs, thinking they were in opposition to yours, and that he pretended to a discovery that was really yours. But upon finding out the jumble he sent out his daughter to apologise for his stupidity in having forgotten that you were my son. Now he is anxious to have them, and you ought to be pleased that he did not like to hear of an interloper, nibbling at your fame. <illegible deletion> Have I now cleared it up? Strenuously opposition resisting was merely a façon de parler <3> – he only seemed as little desirous as civility would allow, but now on finding out your identity he is eager to have them.
Wright <4> has received no letter from you to day, the new post continually makes mistakes, but perhaps you did not write the letter only intended. Au reste <5> he says all the Liveries are gone down yesterday, hats, canes everything. He is now looking for a drab great coat to hire for Robert to match Joseph’s as he wants to spare you the expence, & he cannot do without one this weather, tho’ I conclude he must not wear one at the assizes let it rain or snow, or else what’s the use of silver lace?
I think the Venus d’Arles that you have sent to day beautiful, and much the best statuary I have yet seen you make. Horatia <6> is not up, having been very late last night at Lady Normanby’s <7> ball. As a parcel was going to Ela, <8> I sent in it the book you left behind here by mistake. Let me know when you will send Robert back again because I am to have a Soirée Dansante <9> where his services will be required.
Notes:
1. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
2. Spencer Joshua Aiwyne, 2nd Marquess of Northampton (1790–1851).
3. Manner of speaking.
4. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.
5. She means ‘what’s more’.
6. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
7. Maria Phipps, née Liddell, Lady Normanby (d. 1882).
8. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
9. A dance.