4 Circus
March 2d 1876
My dear Henry
A post card from Monie <1> (Paddington, 5 O’clock) reported her arrival there after a quiet & rather chilly journey – Much water out, especially near Reading & Maidenhead. I expect she will enjoy her week’s visit to the Speddings <2> – & I wish she may have one or two fine days: but the weather has deteriorated since Monday which was like May day. – It was so charming I sunned myself in the garden for about ten minutes, admiring the crocusses and a beautiful rose-colored Rhododendron – in the centre bed – You know we intended to have had all early bloomers in that clump – but they turned out differently – though I remember they are all pretty: and last year we saw them in perfection before leaving in May – It strikes me that the lilacs & other things are earlier than usual in putting forth their green buds – There is fear of the possible Spring frosts cutting off such early foliage, but it is very pretty to see – & makes one feel that the winter is over.
Matilda <3> writes that they are all well at Dabton <4> – and they had been spending a day at Speddoch. <5> bringing away violets & early things that were much forwarder than at Dabton: the reverse of what used to be. How can you explain this? does it depend on the skill of the Speddoch gardener?
I wrote a few days ago to offer our congratulations on the approaching marriage at Notton <6> – and enclosed is Lady Awdry’s <7> reply – I don’t want to keep the note – so please burn it when read. Charles <8> may perhaps like to see it.
You have kindly taken the trouble of forwarding some circulars which were addressed to me at Lacock – . but if you would allow them to accumulate to be sent in the weekly hamper by Knott <9> along with the other things in Rd’s parcel, I should prefer it – also the French fashions of which this is the envelope & which is despatched once every fortnight from Paris – Cox used to send it in the Lacock hamper. according to my own instructions. I don’t know why he acts differently now. Your Publisher seems to have been a long time delaying to send us the Atlantic Monthly <10> – yet I remember you told me you had ordered it. We have only had the 3 first of Mrs Kemble viz – August, Septr & Octr – I suppose they must again be out of print. –
Your affectionate
Constance
My cold is all but quite gone. –
Notes:
1. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
2. Probably Thomas Storey Spedding (1800–1870), of Mirehouse, man of letters, and his wife, Frances Elizabeth, née Headlam (b. 1811).
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
4. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
5. Speddoch, Dumfriesshire, 10 mi NW of Dumfries: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
6. Notton House, Wiltshire, 1 mi NW of Lacock.
7. Lady Frances Awdry, née Carr. Her reply was not enclosed.
8. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
9. Richard Knott, of Lacock.
10. The Atlantic Monthy, A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics (Boston & London: 1857–1901).