London
29th July
My Dear Henry
I am sorry there will be no more numbers of Part 1st <1> forthcoming for some time, for everybody now wants to read the Letter press which is contained only in that one. The majority of those who have subscribed, have not an idea on the subject, it is perfectly new to them, and so I feel called upon to give them No 1 as an explanation & I have already given away all those I had in my possession. It would have saved me a world of trouble if you had appended an explanation of the same sort to the Scotch views, <2> & had made use of the word representations instead of Plates which misleads “that ineffable Goose the Public” most woefully. I have just been directing the last batch for Mr Tarrant <3> who seems a civil little industrious Man, & cheap. Horatia <4> has given him some Music to bind for her & I have bespoke an Album. Pray keep us au courant <5> of your peregrinations, I should have written oftener, but Wright <6> said you had forbid any more directions to York Caroline <7> is at Brighton with Ernestine <8>
Affly yrs
E F
Notes:
1. WHFT, The Pencil of Nature (London: Longman, Brown, Green, & Longmans, June 1844–April 1846 [issued in six fascicles]).
2. WHFT, Sun Pictures in Scotland (London: Published by subscription in 1845).
3. Alfred Tarrant, London bookbinder.
4. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
5. Up to date.
6. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.
7. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
8. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.