Aix
Sunday Octr 19th
My dear Henry
Mama <1> wishes me to write again to Brussels thinking it may catch you as you have probably been delayed by the rainy weather. We have had 2 or 3 very dismal days but this morning the sky is bright & cloudless so I hope it is also smiling upon you.
Mama is a great deal better, & looking quite like herself again. Papa <2> has given up going by Mt Cenis & by Gap. on her account & has made up his mind to go to Lyons & down the Rhone in the boat to Avignon which will be less fatiguing for her than jolting on the road. Caroline & Ld V. <3> talk of setting out in a day or two & crossing Mt. Cenis. I hope Constance <4> has not been tired with her journey. Did she receive a letter from me at Manheim? I was afraid she would not.
Caroline & I have taken lessons in a new art that of swimming in the Piscine it is rather good fun & with those tin boules <5> one can hardly sink if one was to try. I am much better for the Douches <6> certainly & shall be grateful to the waters of Aix. We will direct our next to Aix Ostend so mind you ask for it. We have only had one letter from Beone [sic] all this time, after all your fair promises.
Addio yr affte
Horatia
We are going to see the cascade de Gresy to-day hoping it will be swelled by the rains & present a formidable appearance. I don’t think you went there – indeed you did not see any of the sights here you were in such a hurry
Mr Fox Talbot
Poste restante
Bruxelles
Notes:
1. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
2. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
3. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister, and Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
5. Metal floats in the shape of bottles.
6. Baths.