Lacock Abbey
Dec^r 24^th

My dear Henry

I am very glad you have at last found time to go to Worthing. – and I hope the air will do you a great deal of good particularly as the weather is now so fine – The brightness of the sky today was admirable, & the calm, remarkable, after the hurricane of yesterday. – After Lady Elisabeth’s ^<1> message which I wrote you yesterday, ^<2> I conjecture you will scarcely take a house at Worthing – even should the looks of the place please you – Perhaps you will let us hear from you before you tie yourself. – I have no preferance [sic] (of course) as I know neither of these places. I hope you will indulge yourself with some warm bathing – so comfortable in cold weather – And pray let me hear how you like Worthing &c &c –

Lady Elis^th is gone to Bowood ^<3> & I forward your letter as you desire – She told me she should come back Friday –

Y^r aff^te
Constance

I am afraid you won’t get a good mince pie tomorrow – The children ^<4> & I have just finished decorating my room – Study room and Nursery with evergreens – and we are making garlands with M^lle Dutscheck ^<5> for them to wear tomorrow. – Matilda is delighting herself with the thoughts of going to Church, to hear the music & admire the decorations – which she has often talked of in the course of the last year. –

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Notes:

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

2. See Doc. No: 05490.

3. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.

4. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1^st daughter; Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), 'Rose'; 'Monie'; artist & WHFT's 2^nd 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 3^rd daughter; Charles Henry Talbot, (2 Feb 1842 - 26 Dec 1916), 'Charlie'; 'Tally'; antiquary & WHFT's only son.

5. Governess to WHFT's children from July 1845 to March 1846.