Lacock Abbey
Feb 12. –

My dear Henry

Your letter ^<1> amused us all very much, and has made me quite anxious to read Monday’s debate, or at least a part of it. – How charming that O’Connell ^<2> should be made to repent of his rashness in soliciting the investigation. – Oh that it might teach him a little modesty!

We admire your forbearance in not voting against M^r Mayne ^<3> what should you have felt had it turned only upon a single vote? – I see M^r Montague-Gore ^<4> retires from Devizes; who will succeed him? – I immediately fancied it might be M^r Estcourt. ^<5> –

I am so sorry you will not be here tomorrow to receive your Cousin M^r Talbot, ^<6> but I suppose you will meet in London. –

The letter you sent me this morning was from Mrs Syeyd ^<7> [sic] mentioning a Ladys-maid. I have written the enclosed to thank her & to say that if Lydia ^<8> should fail I will certainly make further enquiries [illegible deletion] as I like the description of the person she recommends. –

I have just been to visit the seeds & found them all most properly watered. – Lady Elisabeth ^<9> is so charmed with the Persian Iris that she has had it brought into the Library to mingle its beauties with those of the hyacinths. – The Narcissus Odorus is to be promoted to the same honor when it is more worthy.

If you have anything to send to us here, you will soon have an opportunity, as the Groom will is going to Town in a day or two for the purpose of selling Water-Witch. – If Jones’s ^<10> watch should be arrived I hope you will send it. –

I suppose Edward ^<11> will be able to find a vacant moment to take my letter to Warren’s Hotel. Has he got a livery yet? – I hope he will have one soon, for fear he should expect fancy he has risen up into Franklin’s ^<12> place. –

Y^r affec^te
Constance –

I want to know what room you sleep in, that I may be able to fancy all about you. Do you sit in M^r F’s ^<13> library?

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Notes:

1. Doc. No: 02807.

2. Daniel O’Connell (1775–1847), politician, Irish nationalist.

3. John Mayne. [See Doc. No: 02500].

4. Montagu Gore (1811–1864), MP.

5. Thomas Henry Sutton Sotheron Bucknall Estcourt (1801–1876), MP.

6. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.

7. Mrs Maria Sneyd, of Blackheath.

8. Lydia Prior. [See Doc. No: 02799].

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

10. Jones, servant.

11. Edward, a valet to WHFT.

12. Franklin, servant.

13. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.