Weymth
Wednesday
My dear Henry
A happy New Year must be wafted to you on the 1st January – in the true old fashion! – although on Friday we hope to do be with you and express all that we would say in a much more substantial manner. I dare say that neither you nor Ela <1> will be otherwise than pleased to get us back again.
Thank you for both your letters. I think the case you enclose from Mr West Awdry <2> appears really deserving of aid, if I can give it – but there is time to think it over deliberately between this and April – Are we not lucky in our weather? & especially as regards our journey home on Friday, for not only is the frost departed, but the change is really astonishing in mid winter to the temperature of a mild spring day. Mamie <3> has gone out for a turn before our early dinner & I expect she is finding it quite pleasant.
I am writing a line to Ela & have enclosed a letter from Wilkins recd this morning. –
Charles <4> thinks Mr Roach <5> will scarcely carry out his idea of running out to Weymouth, because the trains appear next to impossible –
Your affectionate
Constance
Notes:
1. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
2. West Awdry (1807–1892), solicitor, Chippenham.
3. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
4. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
5. Edwin Osmond Roach (1828-1876), Irish-born Vicar of St Cyriac's, Lacock, 1870-1876; Asst Provincial Grand Chaplain, Freemason.