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Result number 27 of 971:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >  

Document number: 2505
Date: Sat 08 Dec 1832
Postmark: 8 Dec 1832
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Constance, née Mundy
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA32-87
Last updated: 21st December 2010

Queen Anne St. <1>
Saturday

My dear Mr Talbot <2>

I rejoice extremely that your Election takes place on Monday the very day that you yourself originally fixed upon. – I cannot think how you managed to guess so accurately, when every body else was so exceedingly perplexed on the subject. – I dare say that your time has not been more agreeably spent than my own, since we parted – I confess that I am already extremely tired of shopping, there & it really appears as if there could be no end to our labors. – the shortness of the days at natural to this time of year we find very inconvenient, as though the shops look very pretty lighted up it is difficult to judge of colors & texture by candle-light. The only charm in the present manner of passing our time is novelty, & this single charm I find to be rapidly declining. – Yesterday Mamma <3> & I went out with Lady Elisabeth Feilding <4> who has been very kind in offering her assistance in any way that we wished. – At the conclusion of our drive, that is to say, soon after we were overtaken by the shades of evening, we paid a visit to Mrs Matilda Feilding <5> & Mrs Hicks; <6> at whose house I [ had?] again saw Lady Valletort. <7> – I was so very sorry to hear that you are again condemned to solitude during your séjour <8> at Lacock Abbey, & I do think it is a very hard case, to have no one to share the fatigues of your canvass, & the anxieties of the Election. – If the sincere & anxious wishes of one who is at the distance of a long day’s journey, can be of any avail in lightening your labors, or in facilitating the result, I think you know whose you may depend upon. –

Mamma had a letter from My Brother <9> this morning – full of lamentations about the inconvenience of the time fixed upon for the Derbyshire election. He says that Tuesday the 18th is the first polling day, & he seems very much to regret the necessity of leaving home at all, during that week. I hope he will determine upon giving his vote, the earliest possible moment & joining us the following day. – but Harriot’s <10> coming is, I fear quite out of the question. – Things will not always happen exactly at the most desirable time, but it appears to me that under the existing circumstances there is nothing to be done but to make the best arrangement the said circumstances will admit of. I am sorry we cannot see Harriot, but I should be very sorry as she dislikes travelling so much, that she should come to Town on purpose, & after remaining only a few days, have to retrace her steps homewards. – Harriot sends an improved account of her health – & says she has been employing herself in her garden. Mina Mellish has paid us one little visit, her smiling face was quite reviving, she says her Brother <11> has had a great deal to do lately. –

Believe me ever your affectionate
Constance.

We have heard today of the death of an old Lady a relation of Mamma’s whom we have scarcely ever seen, & who has been long in a declining state of health. –

Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts. –


Notes:

1. 44 Queen Ann Street: London home of the Mundy family and a frequent base for WHFT.

2. They were not yet married.

3. Sarah Leaper Mundy, née Newton (d. 1836), WHFT’s mother in law.

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

5. Matilda Feilding (1775-1849), WHFT's 'aunt' - sister of Charles Feilding, his stepfather.

6. Augusta Sophia Hicks, née Feilding, sister of WHFT’s step-father.

7. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.

8. Stay.

9. William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT’s brother-in-law.

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

11. Richard Charles Mellish (d. 1865). He was Clerk Assistant to Under-Secretaries in the Foreign Office from 1831 to 1841.

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