Dover
19^th May 1842

My dear Mother

We started very punctually at 11, and reached Herne Bay in five hours ^<1> – As we passed Woolwich they were firing a salute in honour of the Queen’s Birthday ^<2> – There is nothing to see at Herne Bay – A very good coach brought us on to Dover (25 miles, passing thro’ Canterbury in the way) where we arrived at ½ past 7 o’clock at the York Hotel All the steamers start at 6 o’clock tomorrow morning, so there is no choice of hours tho’ there is of places, for there are boats going to Ostend Calais Boulogne &c.

Your aff^te
Henry

Pray send this on to Constance ^<3> that she may know I am actually set off

Lady E. Feilding
31 Sackville S^t
London

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Notes:

1. By boat down the Thames.

2. Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901); her birthday was on 24 May.

3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.