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Result number 117 of 971:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >  

Document number: 3590
Date: Sun 24 Sep 1837
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Constance, née Mundy
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 24th December 2010

Lacock Abbey
Sunday Sepr 24

My dear Henry

I was beginning to wish very much for tidings of you all & especially of dear little Bimbo <1> when Mlle Amélina’s <2> kind letter arrived most opportunely to relieve my anxiety – Pray thank her very much for it – and tell her with my love how much pleased I shall be if she really decides on coming to Lacock with the rest of you – She fancies she is no longer of much use or comfort in Sackville St; were that truly the case I should wish for the power of transporting her here to be my companion until your return. – She says Lady Elisabeth <3> does not yet talk of fixing a time for coming – I could wish for Horatia’s <4> sake it might be soon – but I suppose there is a great deal of necessary business to detain you in London.

Our little Rose <5> has not been quite well the last few days but she is already improved & Mr Kenrick <6> says it will be of no consequence – he calls it a kind of Measles to which Infants are subject – which frequently returns several times & does not preserve them from taking the true measles afterwards – She has no fever – no appearance of cold in the head & eyes which generally attends measles – & seems very little incommoded in any way beyond what proceeds from the irritation on the skin & a general disposition to restlessness – It was yesterday morning I sent for Mr Kenrick on observing that her face & neck were covered by a rash – before that she had merely appeared a little fretful & fidgetty – he says she has it very mildly – & my own sense tells me the same for the worst appears already over – & though she slept so lightly all last night that Clifford <7> was obliged to sit up with her & hold her in her arms, this morning she allowed herself to be placed on the bed & slept soundly for nearly two hours – and she took her last meal quietly without any fretting at all – So you need not be the least uneasy about her, little dear! – Her eyes look quite bright today as though nothing were the matter with her – Mr Kenrick prescribed a little soothing mixture (of course) & will see her again today – but he has not been yet – He thinks Ela <8> will not take it – Rose certainly took it from nobody – for she has not been near any children – She has not only been outside the gates once since we were at Bowood <9> – & that once was in the Poney carriage when I went to Spy park <10> to make enquiries – Mr Starkey <11> is much better & goes out driving – I saw him get out of the carriage when I was a few yards from the door – I called on Mrs Paley <12> but did not see any of them – so left a message. – I drove over to Sloperton <13> last Wednesday but could not see Mrs Moore <14> comfortably because they had sat down to an early dinner with Mr Bowles <15> – I was obliged however to rest the poney – & entertain myself in the Drawing-room – Mrs Moore came to me for a few minutes between the courses – I thought her unwell & much fatigued by the exertion of entertaining Mr Bowles. It seems he had invited himself two days before – [missing text]<16> fixed upon what he should like for dinner, & then grumbled at it when it was not before him – He is grown very deaf which fatigues & annoys his friends –

I wrote to you on Tuesday under cover to Mr Strangways <17>

Ever your affecte
Constance

H. F. Talbot Esqre
31 Sackville Street
London


Notes:

1. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.

2. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].

3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.

4. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.

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

6. George Cranmer Kenrick, surgeon living at The Grove, Melksham.

Dr

7. Lady’s maid and nurse.

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

9. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.

10. Spye Park, Wiltshire, 2 mi SE of Lacock.

11. Edward Andrew Starky.

12. Wife of Rev James Paley (1790–1863), Vicar at Lacock.

13. Sloperton Cottage, Wiltshire, 1 mi E of Lacock: home of Thomas Moore, the Irish poet.

14. Elizabeth (Bessie) Moore, née Dyke (1783–1865), wife of the poet Thomas Moore.

15. Rev William Lisle Bowles (1762–1850), Wiltshire poet & antiquary.

16. Text torn away under seal.

17. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.

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