Friday
4, The Circus, <1>
Bath.
My dear Henry
We were very pleased to hear so quickly of your having performed the journey to London safely & pleasantly. Charles <2> writes that he thinks of leaving Dabton <3> Monday or Tuesday – breaking the journey at Chester – and proposing to pass a day night with us here before going on to Lacock.
Weather not very good in Scotland – giving them colds at Dabton. A budget of letters forwarded from Lacock today – some of them for me – two for you – That ones with the stamp ‘Bank of Scotland’ I keep till your return, as doubtless you will wish me to compare the entries with my own memorandum of the cheques drawn by me. The others I enclose –
We had a very successful afternoon party today. Your especial friends, (Mr Menteath & Mr Calvert Jones) <4> lamented your absence particularly. –
Your affectionate
Constance
[envelope]
H. F. Talbot Esqr
Athenaeum Club
London
Notes:
1. The frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.
2. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
3. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
4. Charles Granville Stuart Menteath (1800–1880), barrister, and Rev Calvert Richard Jones (1802–1877), Welsh painter & photographer.