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Document number: 2461
Date: Wed 07 Nov 1832
Postmark: 8 Nov 1832
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Constance, née Mundy
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA32-60
Last updated: 16th November 2016

Dear Mr. Talbot, <1>

You cannot think how sorry I am to have disappointed you when you expected to hear from me; I had a sort of vague idea that such might be the case – as perhaps you may have discovered from the half sort of excuse which I believe I made for myself. – I am sorry you have not been successful in discovering the Comet, I quite forgot to ask you about it in my last letter <2> – is it not time that it should be visible if we are to see it at all? but perhaps these bright moonlight nights may have frightened it away. – I meant to have sent you word that I had quite finished the Abbot <3> but I am still a little way from the end. – I have been excessively interested in it, particularly from the moment of entering Lochleven Castle but I am sorry to confess that I do not think Queen Mary is represented in quite so amiable a light as I have always fancied her. I think & fear that we shall have plenty of time to read Nigel. <4> Do not imagine that my desire to know something of Astronomy is likely to diminish by a temporary pause, on the contrary I think it is much more likely to increase. – I will not let you think me so changeable in my tastes. –

You have never told me how you liked Chantry’s monument in Lichfield Cathedral, I hope you did not omit seeing it. – Harriot <5> is gone to Willington again today to see that all is ready for their final departure, which is to take place before another week has elapsed; Harriot has bespoken Emily’ s <6> for the first two or three days to help her to settle her property with due discretion in her new abode. Winter is coming on indeed, & so gradually too that I fear it will be a severe one, as the weather-wise people here predict.

I understand there is a letter from London for Harriot, I hope it may contain some good news, but as she is out at present, I must wait w with patience. – What a shocking thing is poor Lady Caroline Barham’s sudden death! it appears so very strange that she should have been walking quite alone at an hour, when the streets of London must have been almost dark. I think I have clearly proved to you today that I have nothing to say except that I wish you to come back as soon as you possibly can – so believe me till then & ever afterwards

your very affectionate
Constance.

Markeaton <7>
Wednesday 7th

Henry Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts.


Notes:

1. They were not yet married.

2. Doc. No: 02458.

3. Sir Walter Scott, The Abbot (1820).

4. The Fortunes of Nigel, – another of Scott’s novels (1822).

5. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & soon to be sister-in-law.

6. Emily Mundy (1807 – 5 Nov 1839), WHFT’s soon to be sister-in-law.

7. Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, NW of Derby: home of the Mundy family.

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