Saturday June 24th
Dear Constance
He <1> is a little better, but so exceedingly weak that the physicians cannot pronounce him out of danger – He is free from pain and has more sleep than he had some days ago –
Horatia <2> & my mother <3> continue pretty well – Lord Lansdowne <4> had a fall from his horse, but is doing well – Lord Ilchester <5> came up to Town Yesterday – He said he had heard nothing from Theresa since her marriage –
I am glad you find the weather so pleasant in the country – I suppose you have not arrived at strawberries & cream yet, whenever you do, I daresay Ela <6> will be happy to participate.
I settled accounts with your sisters <7> about the horses $4.. 11.. 0 was the amount.
I hope the shopkeepers in the village have the loyalty to keep their shutters half closed – In London there is no exception to it – The Ministers are delighted with the affability of the Queen <8> –
Yours affly
Henry
Mrs Talbot
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
2. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
4. Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), MP, WHFT’s uncle.
5. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).
6. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
7. Laura Mundy (1805– 1 September 1842); Emily Mundy (1807– 5 November 1839); Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).; WHFT’s sisters-in-law.
8. Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901).