Lacock Abbey,
Chippenham.
Sat. 22 Aug.
My Dear Charles
You will be sorry to hear of the death of your great Aunt, poor Mrs Saunders<1> she died on the 13th of this month at the age of 85. I liked her very much & was very sorry to hear it. We have had a violent storm all day. Whether we have lost any timber I know not – But the day after you went during a perfect calm at 4 oclock in the afternoon a principal bough of our finest oak tree, in the stewground, fell down with a great crash, which Wilkins <2> took for thunder. I hope you inquire for letters at the “Rooms” – I forwarded a Melksham <3> letter. I have no more county news than what I gave in my last.
Tilly <4> thanks you for your last letter & will write in a few days – She is at Carruchan & will stay there some time longer. Children all well.
Your affte
Father
Envelope:
Charles H. Talbot Esqrooms of the British Association <5>
Norwich
Notes:
1. Constance Talbot's aunt, Anna Marie Saunders, née Leaper-Newton (1783-1868).
2. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.
3. Melksham, Wiltshire: market town near Lacock, 2 miles S.
4. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
5. British Association for the Advancement of Science.