4 Circus, ^<1>
Sunday March 29

My dear Henry

It is rather uncomfortably wet today; notwithstanding, Jack with his Aunt Ela ^<2> were at the Abbey morning service – and he has since gone out for a walk in the Park: – At this time of the year the weather quickly changes, and we hope it will be fine on Tuesday – the day that Jack is to be over at Lacock with one of his Aunts. It will be one of the best things they can do to fill up the spare time, as you know his visit is to be longer these holidays than last Easter – and so they will be going over to Lacock again before he leaves – so you would have seen him at least twice had you remained a week longer before moving to Bath. Had there it suited you equally well to come a week later, it would have obviated the necessity for Charles ^<3> turning out to the York House Hotel. – which of course he is prepared to do, if Jack still occupies his room here – When you see Ela on Tuesday you will know for certain whether you are coming on Wednesday, so that Charles may get his things out of your way, and may engage his room at the Hotel.

This rain is doing much good to the gardens, but I wish it w^d fall steadily without such a rough wind.

I hope you got the flower which I sent you in a little tin box by Knott ^<4> yesterday –

I had a letter from Harriot ^<5> a day or two ago from London where she is enquiring for a Cook housekeeper. She had seen some relations – and she felt altogether benefitted by the change. At Lady Coutt’s ^<6> she had met Sir C. Wheatstone, ^<7> who talked of his regret that he now meets you so rarely – and he alluded with pleasure to that visit at Lacock Abbey in those remote times, when you had a reunion of Savans ^<8> [sic] – several of whom alas! are now gone – I cannot myself recollect for certain the names of those who remain. I fancy there can be but 2 or 3 –

Your affectionate
Constance.

Jack wishes me to give his love to Grandpapa, and he is very pleased that he is to go & see you on Tuesday.

---

Notes:

1. 4 the Circus, Bath; frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.

2. John Henry Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Jack’ (1861–1902), WHFT’s grandson, and Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1^st daughter.

3. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.

4. Richard Knott, of Lacock.

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

6. Baroness Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts (1814–1906), philanthropist.

7. Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802–1875), scientist.

8. WHFT had invited a number of savants to stay at Lacock Abbey before the 1836 meeting of British Association for the Advancement of Science. [See Doc. No: 03333].