4 Circus, <1>
Wednesday Dec 17th
My dear Henry
I have been thinking a good deal about Charles, <2> and especially since the letter wh. Monie <3> had from him yesterday – in which he says he will still have to stay on at Weymouth for some indefinite time – I think he has been left quite as long by himself as can possibly be right for him – and so I have resolved to go and see after him, & that he may not spend Xmas by himself, have proposed to go to Weymouth next Friday. – Mamie <4> will go with me and Henriette – I expect Monie will start for Scotland the same day – Ela will remain to take care of you. – As we must be a divided family this Xmas – and have no Cook to make up good Christmas dishes, I am sure you will agree with me that it is a very suitable arrangement – and we shall none of us be quite solitary – I could have waited to tell you all this tomorrow, but I know you don’t like sudden surprises –
I was glad Ela <5> & Monie were able to go to Lacock today – I have also been out myself in a Chair & found the weather very tolerable. Adieu till tomorrow. Was your Mt Edgcumbe <6> pheasant good? We have eaten one of theirs ours which was excellent.
Your affectionate
Constance
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. 4 the Circus, Bath; frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.
2. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
3. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
4. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
5. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
6. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.