Dear Henry
Thank you for your note & extract of Kits <1> letter, I wish much it brought intelligence down to a later period, I have to day a letter from George Strangways <2> at Cape, saying he had seen a Mr Williams who was at Constantinople sadly is left & John <3> was expected there in his way home, but this is about the same date also, & nothing decisive, I incline to think Alexandria will be his route, we know it was his intention to come that way. I did not send the whole of your extract to Lady I. <4> as she is so very nervously anxious, and you mentioned Kits having had escapes, which I thought might put additional dangers into her contemplation. I am very sorry I could not get to Lacock, I should like much to pay you a visit there, I was too unwell to leave home at the time I proposed it. Remark to all, it is much better,
Believe me, Affect Yrs,
Ilchester
Sherborne, Jan: T two, 1828 Ilchester
H. Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
2. George Fox Strangways (1802– ca.1849), a career military man, he rose to the rank of Captain in the 7th Infantry Regiment. He was a son of the Rev the Hon Charles Redlynch Fox Strangways. [Biographical information for George Fox Strangways from a family manuscript, Pedigree of Strangways of Melbury Sampford and Abbotsbury, courtesy Dave Morris].
3. John George Charles Fox Strangways (1803–1859), MP.
4. Juliana Maria Strangways, née Digby (d. 1842).