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 (17871858).
2. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, nιe Frampton (1806-1886), WHFTs cousin & sister-in-law.
3. Not located.
4. Rosamond Constance Monie Talbot (18371906), artist & WHFTs 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 (18351893), WHFTs 1st daughter.
9. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (17801837), Royal Navy; WHFTs step-father.
10. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.