4 Circus <1> –
Thursday
Feby. 26th
My dear Henry
It is so blustery & rainy today, that however much the weather may clear tomorrow I feel certain that the garden will be looking dashed & miserable – therefore Ela <2> & I give up the idea of going over to see you & the garden until next week – Tuesday probably, as Ela has her class lesson on Monday – I enclose a letter – also Pickering’s <3> memorandum. The books are come – and I will send yours by Knott <4> on Saty Shall I pay ‘Chobas’ when I call to pay my ‘Colenso?’ <5> But you must please return me the bill for the purpose of getting it receipted – and explain whether 14/ is the amount of the two – no distinct price being set against Chobas – so that I don’t quite understand –
You will see that the African news <6> today is vague and suggestive of anxious doubt as to the real state of affairs – and there is a Captn Nicoll, <7> wounded, who may possibly be our Cousin; altho’ the name not spelt the same.
Thank you for your the report of your journey &c yesterday – I am sorry it is so wet for you today –
I am trying your paper & like it much although by scribbling somewhat hurriedly my writing does not shew off to advantage.
Your affectionate
Constance
Notes:
1. 4 the Circus, Bath; frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.
2. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
3. William Pickering (1796–1854), publisher and bookseller.
4. Richard Knott, of Lacock.
5. John William Colenso (1814–1883), Lectures on the Pentateuch and the Moabite stone (London: Longmans, Green, 1873). [See Doc. No: 02991].
6. According to an article entitled ‘Cape Coast Castle’, ‘A great battle had been fought near Coomasie resulting in the defeat of the Ashantees & the capture of the Amoaful…’ See The Times (London) 26 February 1874, p. 9.
7. Possibly related to Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).