Hotel de l'Europe
Venice.
Feb. 17th/69.
My dear Father
I have written to the Melksham <1> Bank for some money thinking it likely that I may return to England at no long period rather than go to Florence &c. I write to ask you to leave the things which you were going to bring out with you which belong to me, in the charge of Mr West Awdry <2> if you should leave England before I return, particularly the key which of the drawer where the Tower <3> keys are, and my pass book. -
I have partly pledged myself to make write a paper about the abbey for the Wilts Archaeological Society, <4> for which purpose I may require to consult some of the documents.
I expected you to have come out long ago, but if you bring the things with you now I shall probably miss them altogether. -
If I carry out this plan I shall go by the Brenner and Munich.
I find that I spend my money abroad faster than I like and not very much to my satisfaction, and as they evidently do not want me particularly, I think it would be better to return. I should not go by Paris but by the Rhine.
We have had some very fine days here & Today is a combination of a fine day with a fog. Yesterday was remarkably fine rather like summer. Ela <5> and I went to the Lido and picked up shells and some cuttle fish. - Monnie <6> had a sketching lesson out of doors. -
On Saturd Sunday, Mamma <7> and I went to Murano, where we found a curious palace. There is a church of great interest being somewhat severely restored. The eastern part however was so surrounded with palisading that we could see but little of it. -
I do not propose to return to Lacock if I go to England but to stay in London.
The worst of Venice is that there is I suspect a great liability to fogs than in other places. -
I am anxious to see what parliament does. It meets I believe today. -
I pointed out in my letter to you the fact of a Jew being Senior wrangler. <8> You mentioned the same in a letter that crossed -
I was glad to hear that there was a chance of the pony <9> being sold
Your affect son
Charles
Mamma wrote to you on the 11th.Monnie says they will start by the beginning of the next month.
Notes:
1. Melksham, Wiltshire: market town near Lacock, 2 miles S.
2. West Awdry (1807-1892), solicitor, Chippenham.
3. Lacock Abbey.
4. Wiltshire Archaeological Society, Devizes.
5. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835-1893), WHFT's 1st daughter.
6. Rosamond Constance 'Monie' Talbot (1837-1906), artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter.
7. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811-1880), WHFT's wife.
8. This was Numa Edward Hartog (1846-1871).
9. See Doc. No: 09505.