May 5th
My dear Henry
Mary & her Mamma <1> came yesterday to see us <2> soon after 12 – while we were preparing to go out into Lady Elisabeth’s <3> garden & hang up the decorations of the Maypole – They lent their assistance & a very good performance it was considering that we were not much used to such things – On Thursday we had our first Maypole & the 3 Miss Kenricks <4> to drink tea – The weather was warm enough that day to allow of our having tea out of doors – and the children blew soap-bubbles & rode Jenny by turns to fill up the time before tea. – These entertainments, in the preparation & the enjoyment have amply filled our time since Marian <5> left us – I hear she is already much better since she got home – I have reviewed the packing cases & think there will be no occasion to order new ones – or even repair any – I wish the rain would come now – in good earnest & clear off again for our journey – I wish I knew how everybody is in Sackville Street <6> & how Caroline <7> gets through her disagreeable business – but no one writes –
Will you tell Horatia <8> that the Apple blossoms are now in perfection –
Your affectionate
Constance –
H. F Talbot Esqe
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Mary Fitzmaurice (1835–1876), daughter of William Thomas Fitzmaurice, Earl of Kerry (1811–1836), MP and Augustus Lavinia Priscilla Fitzmaurice, née Ponsonby (1814–1904). Mary and Ela Talbot were born on the same day.
2. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1st daughter; Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), 'Rose'; 'Monie'; artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter; died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock; Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3rd daughter; Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
4. Probably daughters of Dr George Cranmer Kenrick, surgeon living at The Grove, Melksham.
5. Her sister, Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).
6. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
7. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
8. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.