Circus, <1>
Sunday March 7th
Thanks my dear Henry for your very interesting letter which we are sending on to Matilda. <2> She will probably not have seen the Telegraph but she will learn your opinion of those ancient Babylonian writings. She almost refuses to enlarge her views on these subjects. She read Colenso’s Lecture <3>s with much interest, but said she was not convinced of the truth of his statements. I am glad you wrote to Mr Menteath <4> – Mr Smith’s letter may have escaped his notice though I imagine he sees the Daily Telegraph at the Institution. Rd <5> asks me to thank you for your last letter to her: and for [Acksford’s?] receipted bill enclosed –
Cox informs me that he has written to the young man in question who he thinks likely to suit us – and that he expects to hear of him in a day or two. Will you tell Cox that I have received his letter and shall wait to hear more as soon as he has an answer – We shall then judge whether it will be best for Cox to come over some morning to Bath. You know this man may possibly have already taken a situation.
I sent you some Chocolate yesterday by Carrier, directed to yourself. I hope they delivered the little parcel to you unopened.
We were very glad to hear such a good report of you from Charles <6> yesterday. We may expect Spring now, after this warm rain –
Your affectionate
Constance
I have just recollected to tell you that I paid last week a bill of Mr Noyes the Chipphm <7> Ironmonger. I wrote to ask him for his account, and he answered that he had recently sent it in to Lacock Abbey – but he furnished me with a duplicate, which I paid – If you have the original account, you must please tear it up. It was not forwarded to Bath.
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. 4 the Circus, Bath; frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.
2. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
3. John William Colenso (1814–1883), Bishop of Natal.
4. Charles Granville Stuart Menteath (1800–1880), barrister.
5. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
6. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
7. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.