My dear Henry
As you were in Scotland two years ago, & at Doncaster this time last year I think it just possible you may have an annual fancy for journeying Northwards at this period of the year – If so, would you pay Markeaton <1> a visit on or about the 26th day of September next ensuing? Mr and Mrs Mundy <2> have desired me to tell you that the Derby Music Meeting takes place on the 27. 28. 29 & 30 of September & tho’ they think it would be “un peu fort” <3> to invite you to come all the way from the Southern Climes on purpose to see persons whom they much regret they are as yet nearly strangers to you, yet if you would find yourself staying some where not very outrageously far off about 3 weeks hence & would be tempted to join their party I assure you it would give them very great pleasure. – I need not say how glad I should be to see you particularly as I depend chiefly on the party who will be staying in the house for my greatest pleasure at a Music Meeting seeing as how, (as they say in Dorset) I am not very fond of Sacred Music – However as there will be Concerts & balls I daresay I shall be able to suit myself to my taste some days. – I also want you excessively to come on account of the Chesterfield Races which are the following week as Lord Waterpark <4> & Mr Mundy are the Stewards & consequently I shall be Stewardess!!! for the first time in my Life. You really ought to come & see how I perform, & moreover whether a Pink Topaz Sévigné is becoming to me, for which I hope you received a very grateful letter from me which I sent to Abbotsbury. <5> Pray come if you can, like a good cousin. Mr M. desires to be remembered to you.
Yr aff Cousin
Ht Ga Mundy.
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, NW of Derby: home of the Mundy family.
2. Francis Mundy (1771–1837), politician, and Sarah Leaper Mundy, née Newton (d. 10 March 1836), WHFT's mother in law.
3. A bit much.
4. Henry Manners Cavendish, 3rd Baron Waterpark (1793–1863).
5. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways. Pink topaz was a popular element of Georgian jewelry. The Sevigne bow or bow knot motif, named after Madame de Sevigne (1626-1696), was common in jewelry. A brooch with a bow knot can be seen on Lefebvre’s 1665 portrait of Madame de S.
6. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
7. A reply please.