4 Circus <1> –
Friday Jan 22d
My dear Henry
Charles <2> will have told you himself that you may expect him at Lacock on Tuesday – for one night. He has had a cold & hoarseness for some days – and though better, he is not free from it yet. I see the accounts of poor Prince Leopold <3> are as bad as possible today – so much so as to preclude all hope of his recovery – Better so, perhaps, than to have had a longer struggle with ill health – I cannot fancy his existence to be a very happy one. Monie <4> said I had better tell you that I have paid the Chipphm <5> Coach maker, after enquiring of Saunders & ascertaining that the entries are correct. – I cannot say that the charges appear to me to be high, as compared with other coachmakers’ work. We have settled a good many of our smaller Xmas bills and there are still some that are not sent in – we must reserve money for weekly current expenses – therefore I have not ventured to pay these three larger ones.
Tylee – Wine acct. 23.12.6
Simms Music Shop 20 14 .
Stokes 47.5.6
£91.12.0
Stokes’s is a mixed bill – comprising articles of dress for ourselves – care of the Circus house & furnishings – but as much as £28, – I am sorry to say, is for purifying the furniture from moths, that odious plague that seems impossible to put down.
When Rd returns from London, we shall like to know whether you can give us money to settle the remainder of these Xmas bills –
Have you heard anything more about Goodwin? <6> through Mr Awdry – I had some talk on the subject of Asylums with Dr Watson–<7> and by his advice I wrote again to the County Asylum at Wells – but they do not receive Patients of his Class – I think we ought to enquire whether he could be taken in at Salisbury – on lower terms than at the Asylum where he is now. – And in the meantime I think we ought to have a report from the doctors at Box of concerning his health. – Can Mr Awdry suggest nothing? –
We have had a very cheering sun today – I hope you had the same – How do you get on without Charles’s company? – Is it not rather too lonely? –
your affectionate
Constance
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqr
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. Leopold Saxe-Coburg, Duke of Albany (1853–1884), son of Queen Victoria.
4. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
5. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
6. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
7. Dr James Watson (1792-1878), a Scottish-born doctor, practising in Bath and resident at 13, The Circus.