Lacock Abbey
Tuesday August 1st
My dear Henry
Having received an éclaircissement <1> yesterday from Lord Shelbourne <2> respecting the printed letter from Devizes, I felt sure that there could be no impropriety in my opening it & copying it into my own letter, instead of putting you to the expence of a separate postage – But first I must give you your Cousin’s <3> message. – He hopes you will not disapprove of his having placed your name on Mr Methuen’s <4> Committee. – He has done so, not with a view of occasioning you any trouble, but to give an apparent weight to Mr Methuen’s party – which he says will be of very great use – without your having the trouble of attending. – The said letter merely is therefore sent to you as a Member of the Committee, & merely says that “A meeting of the Central Committee for conducting Mr Methuen’s election, will be held on Saturday next, at the Bear Inn 12 o’clock, at the Committee Room, Bear Inn, Devizes – at which your attendance is particularly requested.” – I drove over to Bowood <5> yesterday & saw Lady Louisa <6> & her Brother – I arrived there a little before four, & found that they had just concluded an early dinner – so my visit could not have been better timed, had I written previously – The y morning was cool cloudy & pleasant – & though I rather anticipated a wet drive home, we had no rain to signify – Ela <7> was my little companion – & chattered merrily all the way home but she was very shy during the visit. – In going, she took a comfortable nap in my arms – The flowers looked quite beautiful – much more thriving than ours – Among the rest I observed a lavender-coloured Petunia, a variety I suppose of the red or purple (whichever it is called) – a very handsome Gardenia (crimson & yellow) & a lovely bed of Lantana. – Both the garden & the park looked as beautiful as they always do – I have borrowed Louisa’s Donkey saddle till I can get the new one from Mr Moore. <8> – He says it is the fault of the people at Melksham <9> that he cannot finish it for me – they are thinking of fairs & elections instead of making saddles – The wind here did little f mischief, beyond scattering the leaves off the trees – & making the walks look untidy – One young tree in the orchard, either the odd-coloured horsechesnut [sic] or a tree close to it – (for I am rather ashamed to say I did not walk close up to it to see which it was,) has had rather a large piece broken off – Last night we had some nice quiet rain without wind – & today there has been a little light rain at intervals – The outsides of the hall steps have been taken down, & a portion of them already re-erected – All the plants which decorated the steps are ranged in front in a single line following the curve of the terrace wall – They look very well there by way of variety at least – for perhaps they are not sufficiently numerous to produce a grand effect – I hope you are not too idle to walk in the beautiful park at Richmond – Perhaps it may remind you of the walks which we took there together, once upon a time; but I believe it has been much altered since
Our Cousins at Bowood said that they should perhaps ride over some day to see me – In case they should not however, Louisa has promised to write to me after her Mother <10> is arrived. –
If you should wish the Poney carriage to meet you anywhere on your return, you must not forget to tell me in time. –
I did not go to hear Mr Phipp’s <11> Missionary Sermon as I felt rather tired & disinclined for it. – I am told they collected about seven pounds –
Your affectionate
Constance
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
the Marquis of Lansdowne’s <12>
Richmond
Surrey –
Notes:
1. Clarification.
2. Henry Fitzmaurice, Lord Shelburne, 4th Marquess of Lansdowne (1816–1866), MP.
3. That is, Lord Shelburne.
4. Paul Methuen, Baron Methuen (1779–1849), MP.
5. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
6. Louisa Howard, née Fitzmaurice (d. 1906), daughter of Lady Louisa Emma Fitzmaurice.
7. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
8. Thomas Moore (1780–1852), Irish poet.
9. Melksham, Wiltshire: market town near Lacock, 2 miles S.
10. Louisa Emma Petty Fitzmaurice, née Fox Strangways, Marchioness of Lansdowne (1785-1851), wife of Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1837-1838; WHFT's aunt.
11. Mr Edward Phipps of Devizes.
12. Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), MP, WHFT’s uncle.