Lacock Abbey
March 18 –
My dear Henry
Strange as it may appear I have actually seen & embraced my Father, <1> Mother <2> & Sisters! <3> They were here a little before 12 & staid about an hour. – Unluckily the sun disappeared just at that time, though the morning had been uncommonly bright & the afternoon turned out equally so. – However they had scarcely time to look about at anything, as they wished to reach Moreton <4> before late, & my Father accordingly was in his usual bustle. – I just took my Sisters into the Cloisters, & Nuns’ kitchen, etc; for fear anything should prevent their paying the long-talked-of visit at Easter. – Emily was properly delighted as you may imagine. – They enquired tenderly after you & my Mother said she had heard from you the other day. –
As I hope you will agree to Lady Elisabeth’s <5> proposal of coming on Friday I think it is time to give you my commissions. –
I wish you, or rather Edward, <6> to buy for me at Truefill’s, 20 Burlington Arcade, a little pot of Bear’s-grease. – Mlle Amélina <7> has also a little commission for Edward which the enclosed note will explain. – I should be extremely obliged to you to bring my little parasol when you come. – Fanny <8> will find it in the Drawer in Horatia’s <9> room where I left some things. – It is the small one lined with green, that I want, not the large one. – If Fanny does not find it where I mention, I must have put it away somewhere else, & in that case I know she will not be able to get at it. – If Lady Cærnarvon <10> should have brought Mlle Amelina’s parasol which was left at Nice pray bring it as well as mine. –
Fitzsimmons <11> has been greatly alarmed at the 2 or 3 frosty nights we have had. – All the fruit trees are dressed in green & present a most singular appearance. – They look like rare things from New Holland, <12> where the trees grow in such a strange way. – Till we meet, (if I find nothing particular to say tomorrow)
believe me your affectionate
Constance. –
Notes:
1. Francis Mundy (1771–1837), politician and father of Constance Talbot.
2. Sarah Leaper Mundy, née Newton (d. 1836), WHFT’s mother in law.
3. Laura Mundy (1805– 1 September 1842); Emily Mundy (1807– 5 November 1839); Her sister, Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret); WHFT’s sisters-in-law.
4. Moreton, Dorset: home of the Frampton family.
5. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
6. Edward, a valet to WHFT.
7. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
8. Lady’s maid.
9. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
10. Henrietta Anna, née Howard (1804-1876), wife of Henry John George Herbert, 3rd Earl of Carnarvon (1800-1849).
11. Cornelius Fitzsimmons, Scottish gardener at Lacock Abbey.
12. The name given by 17th century Dutch explorers to mainland Australia.