Lacock Abbey.
Chippenham.
Friday August 28
My Dear Constance
I have written to Coutts & Co about the letter of credit.
I hope you received Carolines <1> letter which I enclosed to you, what an awful escape Ly Abercorn and her family had! <2> The papers have been filled with accounts of the accident and reflexions upon it, nothing seems to have excited a greater sensation for many years – The curate of Calne is married to the only daughter, <3> & I understand only Child of the Revd Sir Nicholas Chinnery <4> who perished in the accident, with his wife, and therefore the family estates in Ireland will devolve upon this poor clergyman.
I wrote to Monie <5> the very day I heard of poor Mrs Saunders’s <6> death, I hope she got my letter – I was very sorry to receive the sad news! And I think all her relations will regret her very much.
The day I returned to Lacock (10th August) was very hot but it was the last of the hot weather. The next 2 days were cool and cloudy and on the 13th came the long wishd for rain. Since then we have had very showery weather (and one day of furious tempest which did great mischief about Liverpool, wrecking several large ships which had just sailed) <7> – The country is transformed as if by magic, the fields are as green as emeralds, and the farmers are (or ought to be) thankful and happy. The thanksgiving “for Rain” is read in our church, and I daresay in all others throughout the Kingdom. Our harvest home feast will be earlier than usual on Wedny 2d September.
Mr Moncrieff <8> will no longer represent Edinburgh – apparently he was hopeless of success with the number of Electors so greatly augmented. He is now a candidate for the united universities of Glasgow and Aberdeen. I have renew’d your Abonnement to Galignani <9> for 6 months.
I am very glad you continue to like Dr Namias,<10> notwithstanding his peculiarities – It is not clear to me from your letter received this morning whether you have given up the lake of Como – as you only allow about 4 weeks for the journey to Pisa, and mean to rest at several places on the way – You are not tired yet of Dr N’s goatsmilk & Seaweed? I am so glad it has become cooler at Venice, I thought it must. Here it has been quite cool enough for the last fortnight – a pleasant medium temperature has prevailed, varied by showers – The plans for our School are I think finally settled – It will cost about a thousand pounds – I think government ought to help individual parishes. The burden is too great that falls upon the Philanthropic. I have not time before Post goes to commence a second sheet else I would do so.
Love to all. Your affte
Henry
Notes:
1. Lady Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding (1808-1881); WHFT's half-sister.
2. On 20 August 1868, The Irish Limited Mail heading from London to Ireland ran into the rear of a goods train near Rhyl. The trailing carriage of the goods train was filled with petroleum, which immolated the first three first-class carriages of the passenger train, burning 23 people beyond recognition. The Duchess of Abercorn and Lord George Hamilton miraculously escaped injury.
3. Anne Elizabeth Frances Margaretta Chinnery (d. 1907), married to the Rt Rev. James Robert Alexander Chinnery-Haldane (1842-1906).
4. Sir Nicholas Chinnery, 3rd Baronet (1804-1868) and his wife Anna, née Vernon. His baronetcy became extinct upon his death.
5. Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), died & buried at San Remo, Italy); 'Monie', artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter.
6. Constance Talbot's aunt, Anna Marie Saunders, née Leaper-Newton (1783-1868).
7. On 21 August, a fearful gale swept over Liverpool, causing extensive property damage in the region, sinking several ships and demasting and putting others at grave risk.
8. Rt Hon James Moncrieff (1811-1895), sat in Parliament for Edinburgh 1859-December 1868 and for Glasgow and Aberdeen for 1868 until he was appointed Lord of Session as Lord Moncrieff in 1870.
9. Galignani's Messenger, which had a wide circulation among English residents on the Continent.
10. Dr Giacinto Namias, the head of the Women's Section of the Venice Hospital, was known for his advocacy of the health benefits of bathing. Assisted by his multi-lingual assistant, Dr Levi, he was recommended in traveller's handbooks as the best person for foreigners to consult.