L. Abbey
Sunday 19th Janry
My Dear Henry
As I know the violence it does you to write I am proportionably obliged for the letter I received this Morning. This is such a doubtful day that I think your going with Mr M. <1> as far as Folkestone is problematic. I have great thoughts of being in London Wednesday - the whys & wherefores are too long to explain upon paper. The wedding <2> is put off till February & if I go to town directly after I shall miss Caroline <3> who will come here in her way up to her Waiting <4> - therefore this is a good moment for my business in London, so I shall only stay 2 or 3 days.
I shall avoid the 4 o'clock train, as you say its such a slow one -
affly yrs
E F
I have just received from Caroline a most amusing description of her Fancy Ball. She was a Spanish Lady from Andalusia, & Flora & Annie Bohemian girls. Plymouth never saw such a ball before, even in a dream.
C'est possible <5> I may go to town on Tuesday -
Have you ever done anything about the Papers Richard <6> has he says of yours? His direction is No 14 Pennyfields Poplar probably he has nothing
[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot
31. Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Rev George Stephen Molyneux Montgomerie(1790-1850), close friend of Talbot family, artist, Rector of Garboldisham, near Thetford, Norfolk.
2. The wedding of Louisa Fitzmaurice (d. 1906), daughter of Lady Louisa Emma Fitzmaurice to James Kenneth Howard (1814-1882). They married on 10 February 1845. [See Doc. No: 05162].
3. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808-1881); WHFT's half-sister.
4. She was lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria.
5. It's possible.
6. Probably Richard Burden, Excise officer, India Docks; factotum for the Feildings and for WHFT. [See Doc. No: 05160].