Lacock Abbey
Thursday July 31st /45 –
Good Henry! – to write me such a nice long letter today <1> after the short one of yesterday <2> – In that I found a great deficiency of news – but it enabled me to write to you – which I did. I am quite consoled by your having succeeded in getting 12 views of York in one day – that proves to me that your weather must have been better than ours – Today again we have had violent storms – with hail & torrents of rain – but Thunder storms are so partial that I have the satisfaction of thinking that perhaps there may have been clear weather in the North. We have had several remarkably clear cold starlight nights & very bright sunshine for an hour or two in the morning – but clouds gathered & spoilt all before nine or ten o’clock. – That was a narrow escape of Mr C Jones <3> & his fellow-travellers! – Several accidents I have read of within the last few days in the Newspapers which shake one’s confidence in the Railroads. – I think they appear all to arise from unpardonable carelessness. – I am so glad you have such an able assistant in Mr Jones – his activity is really surprising – and his example too excellent not to be followed – I expect you will come back an early riser. – You ought to invite Mr J to Lacock Abbey –
Pray do mention whether you have lost your cold – I hope you are very careful – but your occupation is not the wholesomest in rainy weather.
From your description I should judge Scarborough to be a healthy place. – on a Cliff & situated on a bracing coast – I imagine it to be always cold there – or else burnt by a glaring Sun & an East wind –
Chicks <4> are pretty well – only with colds in their head & not much cough – Mlle D. <5> seems considerate about their health – I think Mrs Traherne <6> did not say too much in her praise – We played at chess last night till near twelve. –
Your affectionate
Constance.
Notes:
2. Letter not located.
3. Rev Calvert Richard Jones (1802–1877), Welsh painter & photographer.
4. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter, Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter, Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter and Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
5. Mlle Dutscheck, who was governess to WHFT’s children from July 1845 to March 1846.
6. Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin.