Lacock Tuesday Feb. 18
My Dear Constance
I received your very kind letter of the 11th, on the 16th I was very sorry to hear of Mlle Amélina’s Accident, <1> I hope it is nearly well now & that you will not be obliged to put off your journey in consequence of it, more than a week or so. You have seen the Corniche road before, but it will be new to Ela and Rosamond<2> and I am sure it will please them much – I was exceedingly grieved by the death of Sir David Brewster<3> and Sir Charles Lemon<4> both in the same week – I had a letter from Sir Charles only six weeks ago, & I was in hopes he was in tolerable health. I hear that the death of an intimate friend a Clergyman very lately affected him much. His estates go to his nephew Colonel Tremayne<5> – Originally it was intended that Carclew<6> should be sold at his death & the proceeds distributed among his many nephews & nieces. But he managed so well during his long life and saved so much money that he was enabled to buy up all the reversionary interests and vest the property in himself to leave to whom he pleased –
I have not time before post goes to give the names of the flowers you sent me as far as I know them, but I will do so tomorrow or next day. Charles<7> is gone to Bath to attend a public dinner. There is a contested Election going on at Cambridge I have a vote, but I cannot see any reason for voting for either candidate, so I shall stay at home. The early part of the winter here, up to mid-January, was very rough and rude, but since that time we have had nothing to complain of, latterly it has been warm and pleasant. I hope you received the letter of Credit, and one letter since.
Your affte
Henry
Notes:
1. Amélina Petit de Billier, 'Mamie', 'Amandier' (1798- 8 September 1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
On 1 February, she tripped in a garden in San Remo and injured her hand so badly that her arm was in a sling - see Doc. No: 09325.2. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1st daughter; 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. Sir David Brewster (1781-10 February 1868), Scottish scientist & journalist.
4. Sir Charles Lemon (1784-13 February 1868), politician & scientist; WHFT's uncle.
5. Col Arthur Tremayne (1827-1905), a Crimean War hero who survived The Charge of the Light Brigade and a Cornish MP.
6. Carclew, Cornwall, 3 mi N of Penryn: seat of Sir Charles Lemon.
7. Charles Henry Talbot, 'Charlie' or 'Tally' (2 Feb 1842 - 26 Dec 1916), antiquary & WHFT's only son.