13 Great Stuart St <1>
Tuesday Dec. 13th
My dear Henry
I am sorry that my last letter impressed you so painfully, but I did not exaggerate: and only gave you the precise words of Dr Moir <2> – I have had a further conversation with him today. He considers some symptoms less serious than he did last Friday. The pulse is better and quieter – the pains somewhat lessened by mustard poultices &c. The pain is accounted for by the pressure of the Liver on the region of the lungs, where there may be something of pleurisy or local inflammation – that is in a slight degree – but his breathing is better today. Dr Moir’s view of the case today is, no immediate danger, but impossible to foresee what turn the illness may take. And under the best of circumstances the complaint is an exceedingly tedious one. It is evident that if you think of coming to Edinburgh for Xmas, I shall not be able to give you your own room – You might sleep in the front bedroom next the Drawing room, ‘Tilly’s room’ <3> as we call it – But I don’t think that arrangement would make you at all comfortable. Therefore if you are still busy with the Glossary, <4> and are otherwise well & comfortable at Lacock, would it not be almost better to give Goodwin <5> the benefit of another fortnight after Xmas? by which time, if the recovery begins in good earnest there might be a chance of his removal to some other place. I mean that in the interval we may surely hope for some decided alteration. He is allowed to leave his bed today without dressing and to remain inside blankets on the sofa in your room. The change refreshes him and the airiness of the room, being so much larger than his own, is healthier. Tell me what you think of my suggestion. – also whether you have the considered how we are to get a new Butler? – Perhaps here at Edinburgh when the fitting time comes for enquiring – for of course at present one can do nothing – Our tempory [sic] man, Mr Call, <6> has leave tomorrow morning till Friday; he is going to Glasgow to get married – but means to remain in Service. He has not the order & tidiness, expected in our house; and is full young: but he is very quiet & civil and suits well in the mean time. Poor Goodwin takes thought even now of some things, belonging to his department, and he writes down messages for Henriette= to give me. I saw him myself on Sunday, but of course I did not speak of business matters. He looked that day almost less ill than I expected: but he varies in looks – He asked me to write to you about Thomas’s <7> next suit of Dress Livery which will be due on the 12th January.– He thinks you would like to have it made at Lacock, if mentioned to you.
We had the pleasure of seeing John, Saturday & Sunday – He had come from Glasgow to spend Sunday at Edinburgh to hear Preachers – He dined with us both days & went home yesterday. The weather yesterday was dark & snowy. & I am afraid he would not have a pleasant journey.
Matilda <8> has had a kind of cold, occasioning pain in the back – but she has recovered & is dining down stairs again. The children have escaped with very small colds up to this time.
Thank you for sending Caroline’s letter. <9> I don’t think she makes out a good case, in excuse for her silence. And her total neglect of her friend of half a century Mlle A, <10> passes belief! – Henriette does not hear of her relatives at Paris or other parts of France – Probably they have not attempted to write – We think the Scotsman is a very satisfactory paper – giving all the most important news – Don’t feel afraid that I or the others will make ourselves ill with extra cares & domestic work. – It is a little trying – and I caught a cold, one disagreeable day, by going out: but it is almost well, and I am keeping indoors since.
your affectionate
Constance.
Ela & Rd <11> dined yesterday with Mr. & Mrs Abbott. <12> –
The letter <13> you forwarded was only a useless circular – please open such & throw them away.
Notes:
1. 13 Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh, frequent home of the Talbots from 1863-1871.
2. Dr John Moir (b 1809), French-born to British parents, MD, 52 Castle St, Edinburgh. See Doc. No: 00455, which dates this document to 1870.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
4. WHFT was contributing towards a Glossary of the Assyrian language in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britian and Ireland from the mid-1850s to the mid-1870s.
5. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
6. MaCall, servant.
7. A servant.
8. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
9. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister. For her letter see Doc. No: 09732.
10. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
11. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter, and Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
12. F Abbott, Secretary of General Post Office, Edinburgh, and his wife.
13. Letter not located.