Sunday night April 24 -
My dear Henry
I must write one line before I go to bed to say that I have advanced to Nurse <1> 5 shillings of her wages at her particular request - because she has left all her money at Lacock & does not like to be totally unprovided for during her journey. - I have also given her 2 shillings besides the money for her coach fare, because my Father <2> says she will require it for the coachmen of which there are two, & who always expect a shilling from every outside passenger - I did not tell Nurse that you would present her with the amount of her journey because I do could not feel sure of your intentions - but I dare say she hopes that you will. - It is not usual to do so when a Servant leaves at her own desire - but when dismissed, perhaps there is a difference. - Nurse is very much cast down at parting with us; & my attempts this evening attempts to console & give her good advice, made her so nervous & lagrimose [sic], that I was compelled to desist - I hope my packet enclosed to the Foreign office today will reach you in safety - I forgot to congratulate you on the prospect of meeting with a successor to James. <3> - If you engage him on the same terms - viz giving wages without clothing, you will of course stipulate that he should provide himself with a black suit in the first instance. - There is very little difference in the cost I believe. -
You have not told me whether I should direct my answer to Horatia <4> at Paris - I conclude it is time now to do so - I must still put Mr Feilding's <5> name on the envelope to the Suisse of course - but whose must I put on that to Mr Strangways? <6> - Your's [sic] I suppose - otherwise how can he tell who it comes from - pray enlighten my mind speedily, for I really feel anxious to write to Horatia - Is Mr Montgomerie <7> gone over expressly to join them? -
Adieu - I must go to bed for it is late - & I shall be up a little sooner in the morning to wish Nurse good bye - Ela is very well, but growing shockingly fat upon her new diet - what shall we do with her? - I am sure she weighs about half as much again as she did a fortnight ago -
Your affectionate
Constance. -
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
31. Sackville Street
Notes:
1. Mary Kennedy, nurse to Ela Theresa Talbot (1835-1893), WHFT's 1st daughter.
2. Francis Mundy (1771-1837), politician and father of Constance Talbot.
3. Servant.
4. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810-1851), WHFT's half-sister.
5. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780-1837), Royal Navy; WHFT's step-father.
6. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795-1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
7. Rev George Stephen Molyneux Montgomerie(1790-1850), close friend of Talbot family, artist, Rector of Garboldisham, near Thetford, Norfolk.