Laycock Abbey
20th February
My Dear Henry
I mean to be in town Saturday – pray don’t cross me on the road, as I want to talk to you. You reproached me for having no schemes the other day, now I have some. What a beautiful day this has been – perhaps you made use of it by going to Brighton & crossed Caroline <1> on the road. The Howards <2> are just gone, & after their departure Wright <3> informed us that his Malmesbury constituents intended to draw the Carriage from thence to Charlton. Louisa <4> was not prepared for such a reception – & they had likewise prepared a triumphal Arch for their carriage to pass under
Affly Yrs
E F
[envelope]
H. Fox Talbot Eqr
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
2. James Kenneth Howard (1814–1882), who married on 10 February 1845, Lady Louisa, née Petty-FitzMaurice (d. 1906).
3. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.
4. Louisa Howard (note 2).