Markeaton ^<1>.
Sunday Sept^r 11 –

Dearest Henry

Thanks for your 2 letters ^<2> – one received last Thursday – the other this morning – I am sorry I did not think of writing oftener, as you expected to hear from me, but I fancied that as I had nothing particular to say, tidings of me (through your Mother ^<3>) would be sufficient – I wrote to her to express my very great greif [sic] about dear Caroline ^<4> & to beg earnestly for further particulars, which she never granted me. Indeed I never knew people from whom it was so difficult to obtain an accurate bulletin of health, as it is from the inhabitants of Lacock – though in this case I cannot blame you particularly. – Severe illness does so frequently attend cases like Caroline’s, that I could not help feeling extremely anxious about her, when I first heard the news – but afterwards, I began be degrees to reason myself into the belief that she could not be very ill indeed, as nobody said anything about her – As soon as I hear that Horatia ^<5> has actually joined her Sister, I shall write to her for further information. – I am very glad indeed that she is able to go to her – I imagine you will not think of leaving home while M^r F. ^<6> & Horatia are absent – & so long as you do not particularly want me, I feel that I cannot do better than prolong my visit here till it suits your convenience to come – always provided that you do not intend curtailing your own visit in consequence – You will be sure of finding Harriot ^<7> & my Brother ^<8> here, as they intend coming next Friday & remaining so long as we stay. – I am glad to have had this space without them & to have enjoyed my Sisters ^<9> quietly. – but when you are here, they will be a pleasant addition. – They drove over here last Thursday & I was glad to see them all looking particularly well – Noel ^<10> & Ela ^<11> were perfectly charming together. – After gazing at each other for some minutes in silence & at an awful distance, they drew gradually nearer & nearer, till at last they became inseparable – & nothing could be prettier than to see them sitting side by side in a large arm chair in the Dining room, kissing & embracing most affectionately. – Nothing could possibly have exceeded the propriety of Ela’s behaviour, ever since she has been here. – & yesterday I put her discretion to a more severe trial than it has ever experienced before – I actually took her out visiting with me, & without Clifford ^<12> too – this you would have thought a rash experiment, but it answered perfectly, & she was quite happy sitting on my knee in the poney carriage, with Aunt Emily by her side & she was good the whole time from 2 o’clock till near 5. At Bowbridge, where my Uncle Newton ^<13> lives, she gave away her heart to 2 little kittens nestled in a basket, being too little to run about – & at Laylands she was introduced to another strange Aunt & 8 cousins of all ages – Besides these relatives she had to encounter in the same room 2 other strangers – This was a trial for her, but she behaved to admiration – So pray do not say any more that she her education has been neglected, or that she is in danger of being spoiled – What miserable weather this is! – It is by no means fit for the picturesque visits into the Peak which I fancied we might be able to accomplish when you joined us – The want of a conveyance too would raise another obstacle, as my Father’s ^<14> horses are at grass & he is without a coachman – So you say see we shall not be able to find much amusement for you unless you can contrive to bring all your occupations with you – but we can at least promi ^<15> that you shall not be plagued to do anything you don’t like & that you shall have all your time to yourself –

Thanks for your nice reports of the state of my garden – I expect its beauty to be faded before I return. – I was so sorry I came without the seeds of the Strelitzia which you wished me to bring – but perhaps you will bring them –

Adieu dearest – ever your affectionate
Constance –

Ela is improving wonderfully in looks & is growing quite rosy – My Sisters desire me to say how much they think her improved – They send their love – A kiss for ‘Papa’ from his Ela –

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham

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Notes:

1. Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, NW of Derby: home of the Mundy family.

2. Not located.

3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.

4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.

5. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.

6. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.

7. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.

8. William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT’s brother-in-law.

9. Laura Mundy (1805– 1 September 1842); Emily Mundy (1807– 5 November 1839); Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).; WHFT’s sisters-in-law.

10. Francis Noel Mundy (1833–1903), WHFT’s nephew.

11. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1^st daughter.

12. Lady’s maid and nurse.

13. Probably a brother of Sarah Leaper Mundy, née Newton (d. 1836), WHFT’s mother in law.

14. Francis Mundy (1771–1837), politician and father of Constance Talbot.

15. Text torn away under seal.