Lacock Abbey
Thursday 5.
My dear Henry
I believe you expect me to return home on Saturday, & I hope you won’t forget to furnish me with the means of so doing. – otherwise I must wait your good pleasure where I now am. – Ten pounds was what Nicole <1> wished to have, & I must ask for a little more I suppose to pay for the Silver Saucepan.– I imagine to Post tomorrow will bring me this necessary provision, & I almost fear for its safety, on account of this being the first day of the fourpenny postage.–
If you don’t send me any answer about the letter-weights, I shall bring you some of the Cheapest. –
I have been occupied almost the whole of this morning in looking at houses with Laura <2> we found it rather a freezing pursuit – & not altogether satisfactory – but I hope we shall at last meet with one to suit them –for I am very anxious that they should remain in London till Laura’s eye is better. –
I think the ten o’clock train on Saturday will be the most convenient for me. –because it will enable us to breakfast at the usual hour (nine) & leave this at ½ past 9. – If you will have the kindness to calculate from this, the time of our probable arrival at Lacock & tell Bennett, <3> to have Ela’s <4> supper & bed quite ready, there is nothing more to say, unless you will take the trouble of ordering horses to meet us in the long stages. –Ela sends her love & is quite well – She is loaded with kisses from Aunt Matilda. <5> & pray tell the housemaid to keep a good fire in my bed room all the morning of Saturday –
Your Affte
Constance.
H.F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Nicolaas Henneman (1813–1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT’s valet, then assistant; photographer.
2. Laura Mundy (1805–1842), WHFT’s sister-in-law.
3. Bennett, nurse and governess to WHFT’s family.
4. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
5. Matilda Feilding (1775-1849), WHFT's 'aunt' - sister of Charles Feilding, his stepfather.
6. John Rodwell, bookseller, 46 New Bond Street, London.
7. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.