Saturday
I went yesterday to look at a detached Gothic Villa which described as likely to suit you exactly, about two miles to the North of Regents Park, but when we got there it proved as unlike the description as possible. What would really suit you is the Villa of Andoe which is for sale on the South coast of Norway, on a small island separated from the Main Land by a narrow channel, half way between Christianson [sic] & Flecknoe [sic]. “The uneven country is overgrown with trees of the finest foliage” – does not this tempt you? <1>
Tell Constance <2> in answer to her letter received this morning, that it is not worth while to take Mary <3> down for so very short a time – I shall be quite satisfied with what happens to be, besides I like variety and contrast. and Horatia <4> will have to encounter much worse dinners in Germany, & will often when there wish she had half as good. This puts me in Mind that I intend leaving the servants here on Board wages, so that what ever you wish for you must order Wright, as it won’t come naturally as when I am at home<5> I wish you would let me know by return of post how many hours you were going down. Mention like wise whether your new vehicle could meet us at Chippenham, we go down by the ten twelve o’clock train.
A ffyours EF
Amandier <6> desires to be rappellée une souvenirs de Madame Talbot <7>
Notes:
1. The Villa of Andoe was betwee the harbours of Christiansand and Flekhoroe, near the harbour of Kongshaven. Although "this desirable property would be peculiarly adapted to a member of the Royal Yacht Club," Lady Elisabeth was probably correct in assuming that its isolation and natural beauty would appeal to her son. Advertisement, The Morning Post (London), 27 May 1841, p. 1.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
3. Probably Mary Thereza Talbot (1795–1861), WHFT’s cousin.
4. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
5. Board wages barely provided food and shelter, with little or no gain to the recipient. James Wright was footman to the Talbots and later the Constable for Lacock.
6. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
7. She means to be ‘kindly remembered to Mrs Talbot’.