Worcester.
Monday. Novr 2nd
My dear Father
I received today your letter with the enclosure, which was from Mrs Fuller asking me to dine there today… I go on to Clifton this afternoon and my intention is to go do up tomorrow Tuesday by the train which leaves Bristol at 4Ě0Ě and gets to Corsham <1> at 5Ě0Ě, provided that train has not been altered as I have only got the October time table. Will you tell John to be at Corsham station with the pony carriage at 5Ě?– If by any chance I should not come by that train I may arrive by the later one to Chippenham, in which case I shall not want him to be there but shall find my own way over.
I am not surprised at their staying at Venice this winter – nor can I say that I am at all sorry provided the climate be suitable.
I wrote to you from Droitwich which is a miserable place though in a pretty country.
The cathedral <2> here is a fine one but has been so much restored that externally at least it looks almost like a new church. I suspect however that it had been much spoiled. When I last saw it was in the days that I was at school at Ashleworth, and I do not think I was much struck with it them, Gilbert Scott <3> is the architect of the restoration and he has got an reredos or altar piece of alabaster, certainly handsome. A great deal of money must I should think have been spent on the building. The cloisters which struck me when a boy as being inferior to Lacock turn out to be very good late perpendicular, but as the windows appear to be new perhaps they werent were not there when I saw it last.
This hotel is a very nice one and the eating good which is a great recommendation. At Droitwich considering the place the food was very good but they kept me much too hot particularly as the weather suddenly reverted to summer. –
The view of this cathedral and adjoining houses from the opposite bank of the Severn is remarkably good. – There also are also very picturesque timber houses in Friar street. Altogether the town is a better one than I expected. Election <4> placards are every where. In this county the colours appear to be reversed. Yellow to be conservative and blue Liberal.
Your affect son
Charles.
[envelope:]
H Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Corsham Court, Wiltshire, 3 mi NW of Lacock: seat of Ld Methuen.
2. Worcester Cathedral.
3. Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811–1878), Gothic Revival architect.
4. The Liberals, led by William Gladstone, were to win the 1868 elections resulting in Benjamin Disraeli’s resignation one month later.