Lacock Abbey
Wednesday 31st
New Year’s Eve –
My dear Henry
I opened the Southampton parcel as you desired – and on finding that it did not contain views, but only white paper I felt doubtful whether I ought to forward it – but decided at length that it would be most prudent to send it , in case you might like Nicole <1> to work with it immediately. – Finding an explanatory letter from Mr Jones <2> I glanced at its contents to relieve my anxiety; for I fancied he must have sent views also & that they had been stolen at the Custom house or elsewhere – I am afraid you will be disappointed as I was that there are no views particularly as you bid me only forward it in that case – & the sight of it, will therefore give you a promise which its contents will not fulfil – Wright <3> advised strongly that it should not be sent by the Post – because being large he thought it likely that the post mistress would double it in order to get it into the bag – and as he happened to have business today at Chippenham, he took it himself to the Station – properly directed to you at the Railway Hotel Reading – and I imagine you will receive it some time in the course of this evening – I have hid your charming mysterious "Happy New Year" for Ela, <4> and will give it her tomorrow if I have your commands in the morning to that effect, otherwise I will keep it for our Tree on Wednesday – Lady Lansdowne <5> has sent them some Toys to be given with her love tomorrow – So they will have something to mark the day – but I have begged Lady Elisabeth <6> to keep hers for the Tree – on Wednesday – Will you be here? – I wrote to you yesterday <7> at Reading – and explained Lady Elisabeth’s plans – Altogether she will not have had much of Lacock this year & very little of your society – therefore as well as for other advantages I hope you will spend a comfortable month with her at Brighton –
Horatia <8> met Mr Beckett <9> at old Johnson’s cottage yesterday – & had a long talk with him – in the Church afterwards, when he invited her to go & see the New Table, <10> – as she was absent Xmas-day – He is delighted with it himself & worked hard to get it finished in time – Horatia likes it too & Lady Elisabeth approves of it also from description – I agree with you – but I dare say in this quiet place it will produce no effect on the minds of the congregation – Mr Bowerbank <11> has positively fixed to come.
Yr affte
Constance.
[envelope]
H, F, Talbot Esqr
Post Office
Reading
Notes:
1. Nicolaas Henneman (1813–1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT’s valet, then assistant; photographer.
2. Rev Calvert Richard Jones (1802–1877), Welsh painter & photographer.
3. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.
4. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
5. Louisa Emma Petty Fitzmaurice, née Fox Strangways, Marchioness of Lansdowne (1785-1851), wife of Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1837-1838; WHFT's aunt.
6. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
8. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
9. William Thomas Beckett (b. 1818), curate of Lacock.
10. See Doc. No: 05490.
11. Rev Lewis Bowerbank (1782-1853), curate of St Cyriac's, Lacock, 1846-1847; former Rector of St Catherines, Jamaica, 1823-1843; friend of Rev George Bridges.