Cher M^r Talbot voulez-vous avoir la bonté d’affanchir la lettre ci-incluse ^<1> pour Horatia, ^<2> j’apprends qu’elle est fort malade, mais que la fièvre a diminué un peu: je serai extrêmement inquiète jusqu’aux prochaines nouvelles que je recevrai d’elle;

Votre bien affectionnée et dévouée
Amélina

Hopwood Hall. ^<3>
3 Juin

la lettre de M^r Feilding ^<4> m’arrive sans avoir été cachetée et sans autre adresse que M^elle Amelina Hopwood Hall

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq
M. P.
31 Sackville Street
London

---

Translation:

Dear M^r Talbot

Would you please be so kind as to frank the enclosed letter for Horatia. I have heard that she is very unwell but that the fever has gone down slightly. I will be extremely anxious until I receive more news of her.

Your very affectionate and devoted
Amélina

Hopwood Hall
3 June

the letter from Mr Fielding has reached me without having been sealed and without any other address than Miss Amélina, Hopwood Hall

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq
M. P.
31 Sackville Street
London

---

Notes:

1. Enclosure not located. As an MP, WHFT had franking privileges and was entitled to free postage. Members commonly gave signed covers or envelopes to friends. At the time, the recipient paid for postage (to ensure that the letter was delivered). This arrangement was withdrawn in January 1840 with the introduction of the Penny Post, which instituted uniform costs and pre-paid stamps.

2. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.

3. From June 1828 - September 1831, Amélina was a companion to the family of Robert Gregge-Hopwood (1773-1854) and the Hon. Cecelia, née Byng, daughter of John Byng, 5^th Viscount Torrington, at their home of Hopwood Hall, between Middleton and Rochdale, Lancaster.

4. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.