Lacock Abbey
Saturday 28
My dear Henry
I must write once more to York, <1> (at the risk of your having left before my letter arrives) because you will be so glad to see by Lady E’s <2> letter that her cold is better. – Horatia <3> would not have left her (though the attractions of Cothele <4> are great) had she felt the least anxious about her – Am I not minding what you said about writing often?– But I think I really must wait now for a new direction – I know it is not your custom to stop more than a few days at one place –
What think you of Lady Elisabeth going by sea to Carclew? <5> – is it not rather venturesome – I have searched & found her stray Examium <6> – the mistake ought to have struck us when it arrived – but I will be more attentive in future –
I have heard from Lady Charlotte Talbot <7> today – apologising for her incivility at Glocester in not answering my note – She says they will return to Penrice <8> next week –
Is it not wonderfully lovely weather? – I hope you enjoy it as you ought –
Your affectionate
Constance –
Notes:
1. WHFT was in York to attend a meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science on 26 September.
2. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
3. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
4. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
5. Carclew, Cornwall, 3 mi N of Penryn: seat of Sir Charles Lemon
6. An orchid.
7. Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin.
8. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot
9. Sloperton Cottage, Wiltshire, 1 mi E of Lacock: home of Thomas Moore, the Irish poet