May 27
My dear Henry
I went off to my School yesterday which left me no time to write on historical subjects to you– Though very desirous to express my thanks for your [illegible] relating to the War in Portugal &c &c. You are perfectly right in saying that the date was wrong– It shd evidently been 1811 – I find from Noel’s <1> invaluable Biographie Générale that Massena <2> was sent by Bonaparte <3> to Portugal in the Spring of 1810– previous to which time he had been employed only in Italy, Switzerland & against the Austrians – and that his famous retreat from before Torres Vedras was March 5 – 1811.– As I copied this from a loose paper in my Aunt’s handwriting – not from her “Journal” <4> – amongst the papers of 1804 that is how the mistake arose, but I have thought it better to omit the whole passage it & the following bit also which relates to the King’s illness, as they are by no means essential &c. So I have scratched these passages through in red ink – and am infinitely grateful to you for having saved me from such an anachronism. See how useful kind Cousins are! – I quite forgot to tell you that in a sale of Engravings this Spring, one from the famous picture at Holland House by Reynolds <5> of “Lady Sarah Lennox. C.J. Fox & Aunt Susan” <6> sold for 66 guineas. This was a proof before letters– I have the same (with letters) which I prize extremely. I got it, oddly enough, at a sale at Derby years ago & think it cost about 15/ which I then thought dear!– I send you a letter (which you need not keep or return as I have copied all I care of it) as I think the Squib will amuse you–
Your Clematis has not sufficient root as yet to leave its parental pot (not nest) but appears to me to be doing its best to give future satisfaction–.
You must be enjoying Lacock if it is looking – as no doubt is the case – as pretty as we are. Our Thorns in the Park are lovely & Scarlet Ds now coming out.– Please tell Rosamond <7> I quite forgot to look at her drawing of the Bridge– Stupid of me as I took such a fancy to the Sketch when just begun
Yr very Affte Cousin
H.G. Mundy
Do you know Polygoreem Sieboldii which Cte Traherne <7> rants about. White Feathers (blossoms) she says &c as the merit of taking care of itself under ground all the winter so does not get kilt!
How much I enjoyed our talks together I cannot describe – so refreshing to my intellect & mind!
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. Francis Noel Mundy (1833–1903), WHFT’s nephew.
2. André Masséna, Duke De Rivoli (1758–1817), French general during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.
3. Napoleon I, Emperor of France (1804–1814/1815).
4. Mary Frampton (1773-1846), botanist and author. Harriot was later to publish The journal of Mary Frampton, from the year 1779, until the year 1846. Including various interesting and curious letters, anecdotes, &c. relating to events which occurred during that period (London: S. Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1885).
5. Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792).
6. Lady Sarah Lennox, Lady Susan Strangeways and Charles James Fox, published in London in 1762.
7. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
8. Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin.