Lacock Abbey
June 21st
My dear Henry
The sight of your handwriting caused me great happiness this morning – for I was growing nervous about you fearing you might be laid up on the road in consequence of that hot weather which we had lately & which I suppose must have been felt at Munich & other parts of Germany. I heard last Wednesday that Harriot <1> & her party had arrived safely at Geneva without suffering – but a good deal disappointed at being forced to give up the Col de Tende – Noel <2> was growing pale & they feared on his account to wait any longer at Nice – where the heat had become very great. –
I am anxious to hear that your journey has been of some little use to you on the whole – though you have had great disadvantages. – You will be delighted I am sure with the improvement in our little boy <3> since you saw him last – He is so fat! – quite as fat as he ought to be. – and very happy & contented – which is a sure sign of his being in good health. There has been such continual rain today, heavy showers succeeding each other, that we have been close prisoners to the house. – You have not said what room you will like to occupy on your return – so I conclude the same as before –
My love to dear Horatia, <4> whom I must not expect to see yet for some time – but it is agreeable to think of her being within four hours of me –
Your affectionate
Constance. –
Notes:
1. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
2. Francis Noel Mundy (1833–1903), WHFT’s nephew.
3. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
4. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.