Monday Decr 19th
My dear Henry
Though you did not give me permission to forward any letters today I think I had better send this one in Horatia’s <1> handwriting, as it may be of consequence – and you need not read it unless you chuse – My Brother <2> & his family propose to visit us about the 29th – on their way to London from whence they proceed home immediately. – I have answered him conditionally, saying that you were not at home, but that I did not know of any reason why we should not be glad to see them at that time – I hope all your business has prospered to your satisfaction & that you have had fine weather since the wet friday that you went up – Lady Lansdowne <3> has written to me to say that she has a bad cold which is the reason she has not been to see me. –
Yr affectionate
Constance –
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
31. Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
2. William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
3. Louisa Emma Petty Fitzmaurice, née Fox Strangways, Marchioness of Lansdowne (1785-1851), wife of Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1837-1838; WHFT's aunt.