13 Great Stuart Street Edinburgh
Thursday May 23d
My dear Henry
I return Caroline’s<1> letter with many thanks. We also have heard from her, & of course more recently. The Mount Edgcumbes were at Fountainebleau, waiting for warmer weather to bring them to England. Caroline’s maid & Henriette had been writing to each other – and the latter had very naturally mentioned Rosamond’s<2> illness. Instantly dear Caroline wrote to Mlle Amélina<3> in the most affectionate manner to enquire about her, with many tender expressions of sympathy with her in this illness; – which Mlle A answered by return of post. Of course I don’t exactly know what she told her; but we observed with regret that Monie’s cough had been more troublesome within the last 2 days or so. – Yesterday Dr Moir<4> called late; but promised to come earlier today, which he did – and again most carefully examined the state of the chest. – His report today is that she has certainly got some cold – from through the evil influences of this desperate east wind: and of which she has been more sensible, since she began to move a little from one room to another. – Today he has desired her to remain in Mlle Amélina’s room & her own, both of which have fires – and are shut in from the staircase by an outer door. – Before this drawback we were all lamenting her very slow progress – and now I much fear that the recovery will be retarded many weeks – Under these circumstances Dr Moir has himself proposed to bring Dr Begbie<5> to see her tomorrow, as he is skilful in affections of the chest: and I feel much relieved that this is determined upon – You shall hear the opinion he gives of her case – and also what he recommends with regard to climate. – Let us hope that her recovery may be more rapid than we anticipate – I think that Monie herself will like to see Dr Begbie – but I have not yet told her of the arrangement till I know the hour he will call. –
My Brother<6> has sent me a Photograph of the Presentation Plate; it is rather on a small scale, but with the magnifying glass it is easy to see that the work is very beautiful –
With love to Charles,<7> I am your affectionate
Constance
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire
Notes:
1. Lady Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding (1808-1881); WHFT's half-sister.
2. Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock; 'Monie', artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter.
3. Amélina Petit de Billier, 'Mamie', 'Amandier' (1798- 8 September 1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
4. Dr John Moir (b 1809), French-born to British parents, MD, 52 Castle St, Edinburgh.
5. Dr James Begbie (b 1798), 3, Charlotte Sq, Edinburgh; a Consulting Physician with the College of Physicians.
6. William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT's brother-in-law.
7. Charles Henry Talbot, 'Charlie' or 'Tally' (2 Feb 1842 - 26 Dec 1916), antiquary & WHFT's only son.