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Result number 27 of 90:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >  

Document number: 22
Date: Fri 06 May 1859
Dating: dating based on 07864; also, Val elected May 1859
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Ela Theresa
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 1st September 2003

Edinburgh

Friday –

My dear Papa,

I hope Charles <1> faithfully performed his promise of thanking you for your last letter to me – it did seem rather melancholy to start on a journey at eight in the evening immediately after dinner but luckily it was not a cold night – The weather here the last two days has greatly improved and we have got rid of the east winds which have been uncommonly cold this year – I suppose you heard that Saturday which you describe as so wet at Lacock was here one of our brightest and clearest days, and we were tempted to ascend Calton hill to look at the view, the finest we had ever seen, being clear in all directions – North Berwick Lane and the Cliffs beyond came out wonderfully, and the tracks of smoke left by the steamers were visible for miles – We also visited John Knox’s <2> house and the Calton Cemetery that same afternoon. –

The Speddings returned home on Monday and we have heard of their safe arrival at Mire house – part of them went by train to Wigton whilst the rest drove all the way from Carlisle, but they reached Keswick exactly at the same time, ½ past 7 in the evening –

I fear I have not much news to give you, as every thing just now is in a very quiet state – some families are leaving the town and the noise of carriages in the Streets is much diminished –

Our Invalids healths are improving. Tilly’s <3> cold is much better and Mamie <4> ventured out today in the warm sun, but poor Rosamond <5> is still a prisoner – but we hear of every body having colds more or less, owing to the changes of weather – How have you escaped at Lacock? –

We were very sorry to hear such a dismal account of the fruit trees but after such an abundance last year, it was wonderful that they should have blossomed so well – the young leaves of the Lime trees in the garden here look rather pinched and miserable after the frost, which must have done much mischief every where –

Good bye dear Papa

from Yr affecte daughter

Ela

P S. I wonder how Valletort <6> will like being in Parliament He does not much seem to have expected his election – and perhaps it has taken him rather by surprise.

Notes:

1. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.

2. John Knox (1514–1572), leader of the Scottish Reformation.

3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.

4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.

5. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.

6. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’. He was elected for Plymouth in May 1859 and sat until September 1861.

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