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Document number: 3504
Date: Thu 20 Apr 1837
Dating: confirmed by date of Rosamond's birth
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Constance, née Mundy
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 8th March 2012

My dear Henry

I have begged a frank from Ld Ilchester <1> in order to enclose a letter from Harriot <2> which came for you yesterday – as I felt too much affection for my Sister-in-law to allow of her epistles being subjected to unmerited neglect – Thanks for your 2 letters <3> & especially for the last which I know you sent so punctually on purpose to relieve my anxieties – I congratulate you most sincerely on this delightful change of weather – it has come most appropriately for your trip to the dear old Abbey & will make it look cheerful even without the presence of its inmates – I am rather sorry too, that they should have left you alone so very soon, & I dare say you got a little scolding for having put off you journey so long – However perhaps it will bring you back again so much the sooner – which I shall be very glad of – more especially as I begin to feel in a hurry to have our little Baby <4> christened now that the weather has become mild – & perhaps if we wait too long it may change again & become cold – Yesterday Mrs Wilkes <5> & I went out walking & actually got as far as Somerset St <6> – I did not feel strong of course, but we walked slowly & I enjoyed the air extremely – Mrs Wilkes paid a visit to her Mother next door, while I visited Aunt Matilda <7> – She was just coming down to her Drawing-room when I arrived – & I was very glad to see that she could make the exertion, – for I only remember to have seen her there once before – I do think she [illegible deletion] was even more animated than usual – indeed she talked so very fast that I felt I could scarcely get in a word – Mrs Wilkes had fixed her departure for this evening instead of yesterday as I expected, fancying that she came to me on a Thursday whereas it was really Wednesday – so I have had her a day longer than I had any right to expect – And today Ela <8> seems so much as usual & looks so well that I considered it was quite unnecessary to keep Mrs Wilkes any longer – though I would certainly have done so without scruple had it been otherwise – And I must say it was very kind & thoughtful of you to propose it – We have had some showers here today, with intervals of beautiful bright sunshine – which made me long to go out again, but of course it was too damp for me after the rain – I hope the clouds will not come over just at the moment of the Eclipse, for it would be quite disappointing to miss it altogether – I shall not fail to keep a good look out however, if there should be any bright moments – I think you give a tolerable account of the Flowers considering the Season – the yellow Erythromium I do not know, but I should think it must be very pretty –

I do not wonder that Mr Feilding <9> should feel anxious to get to London after his severe attack – it is certainly the driest place where he can be [illegible deletion] & he will have the additional benefit of good advise – I shall send soon to Sackville St <10> to ascertain whether he was able to perform the journey –

Little Babe is quite well –

Your affectionate
Constance

Thursday April 20 –


Notes:

1. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).

2. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, nιe Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.

3. Not located.

4. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.

5. Nurse. [See Doc. No: 07968].

6. London.

7. Matilda Feilding (1775-1849), WHFT's 'aunt' - sister of Charles Feilding, his stepfather.

8. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.

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

10. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.

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