Lacock Abbey
June 10.
My dear Henry
Thanks for your letter <1> recd yesterday – and for telling me that you are better. – I pitied you for having to wait so long at Marlborough <2> & then again at Thatcham <3> – but these are inconveniences which you cannot certainly avoid except by traveling in your own carriage. – I rejoice in dear Caroline’s <4> new honours since the appointment gives so much pleasure to you all – I cannot help looking a little to the other side of the picture & pity her for her loss of freedom. – But she is found to shine in every situation, & a character like hers should not be buried even in shades of Mt Edgcumbe! <5>
Matilda <6> is poorly again with her teeth – and as the day is fine & the Witsuntide festivities are over I am going to take the children a drive under the guidance of Pullen. <7> Marian <8> & I found him so very careful in driving, that I am sure you cannot object.–
The Pathfinder <9> arrived this morning with a bill enclosed – but no letters have come for you at all. –
I think it will be an excellent plan to provide some twine for Joseph <10> to employ his leisure moments instead of running so much into the village – There is a particular sort made for this purpose I imagine – and he will also require the necessary implements – for making the nets.
Yr affte
Constance.
I hope you will have a fine Saturday for the Horticultural.
It is reported to me that white muslin is now worn for Ladies’ mourning dresses – I wish you would ask Lady Elisabeth <11> whether it is correct. You know my fondness for white.
Notes:
1. Letter not located.
2. Market town east of Chippenham.
3. Village 3 miles east of Newbury.
4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
5. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
6. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
7. William Pullen, Lacock Abbey coachman.
8. Her sister, 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.
9. James Fenimore Cooper, The Pathfinder (1840).
10. A servant.
11. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.