Lacock Abbey
Tuesday Sepr 19. –
My dear Henry
I have been re-considering the subject of Mary Selman (our present Cook) & have come to the conclusion that she is not exactly the kind of person to suit us under our present circumstances – you know there are some objections to her independant [sic] of her qualifications of as a cook – I think too it would be for her own advantage to leave us & therefore I feel no scruple about it – If she goes, there can be no objection to her Sister who is now Kitchen maid in Sackville St. <1> remaining in that capacity. – Our own two housemaids will be quite sufficient I think – because Clifford <2> requires very little attendance in the Nursery & Anne will be quite equal to that & the duties of under housemaid besides. – Therefore I would recommend not keeping another housemaid in the first instance, but see whether we cannot do without. – Therefore I think if Mrs Gwynne <3> could engage a Cook who would be able to please Lady Elisabeth, <4> it would be more satisfactory for us all & save me a great deal of anxiety – Of course I will say nothing to Mary till I hear that you approve of dismissing her – I have no doubt she would be glad to stay until we are suited with another Servant; & afterwards, perhaps I could persuade Mrs Moore <5> to take her for a time while she is looking out for a place – I meant to have sent you this – result of my meditations yesterday – but after writing two rather long letters to my Sisters <6> at St Leonards & to Harriot, <7> I had no spare time & very few spare wits – The time is short now for making new arrangements if you really think Lady Elisabeth will come as soon as you mention. – Still it was a subject that required consideration & could not be decided in a moment – I will do as you wish touching Mr Starkey <8> & Mr Paley <9> – but I can already tell you that the former is better & the latter performed his usual duties on Sunday, though he was said to be looking ill – Yesterday was so wet after the early part of the morning that I did not get out – & today looks very threatening, but I will set forth if the weather permits, bye & bye – I am sorry dear Harriot felt too unwell to see you – but I am sure she would feel pleased by your calling & take it very kind. – Poor little Bimbo! <10> what you say makes me feel very anxious about him – pray let me hear how he goes on – I sent a note to Lady Lansdowne <11> on Saturday, & in her answer she very kindly said “I wish we had been going to be alone, & could have had you till Henry’s return.” – Ela’s <12> lip is much better & the swelling nearly gone down – but she does not look quite well today – I think there are two teeth on the point of coming through.
Rose <13> is quite well though she has again been rather ill used by me – I had a very bad head ache on Saturday which quite incapacitated me & obliged me to lie on my bed the greatest part of the day – however I am happy to say we are both going on well again now – both Rose & her Nurse – Little dear! she has borne all her trials admirably – for nothing could be worse for her than all the anxieties & sorrows which we have had lately – & though I have struggled hard against it for her sake, I could not altogether smother the natural feelings of my heart. Dearest Henry I hope there are yet brighter days in reserve for us although the sky seems at present overcast – & I must say I rather dread the approaching winter – but I will do my best; & if any efforts of mine can avail in the slightest degree to minister comfort within to dear Lady Elisabeth or Horatia <14> I shall feel abundantly satisfied –
I send this through Mr Strangways, <15> because I wish to enclose an order for my shoe maker, which I must request you to send to the twopenny post – He will send a small parcel to Sackville St for me which I hope you will bring when you come – I also wish you would bring with you some bordered envelopes – for we cannot get them at Melksham <16> – both sizes are useful – especially the small for notes. – Some good pens wd also be a comfort; for I can scarcely write with those we have – Did you receive a franked letter of Mr Strangways’s which I sent back to you on Sunday? – One came for Ld Valletort <17> on the same day which I sent to Leamington. –
I have had very kind notes from Miss Paley & Miss Awdry – I believe their respective Mothers are absent at present –
I have already heard from my sisters at St Leonards – they seem to like the first looks of the place as much as possible – And they also like the looks of their new Servants – It is very comfortable to hear all this –
Yr affte
Constance
H. F Talbot Esqre
31. Sackville Street
Notes:
1. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
2. Lady’s maid and nurse.
3. Mrs Gwynne (d. winter 1841/1842), lady’s maid, cook and housekeeper to Elisabeth Feilding.
4. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
5. Elizabeth (Bessie) Moore, née Dyke (1783–1865), wife of the poet Thomas Moore.
6. 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.
7. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
8. Edward Andrew Starky of Spye Park, Wiltshire, 2 mi SE of Lacock.
9. Rev James Paley (1790–1863), Vicar at Lacock.
10. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
11. 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.
12. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
13. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
14. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
15. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
16. Melksham, Wiltshire: market town near Lacock, 2 miles S.
17. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.