Rothay Bank
28 Sep –/59
My dear Papa
It is so long since we have heard anything of you, that I must really try if I cannot get a letter, but I suppose you are very busy engraving and intended to surprise us on our return home with something wonderful!
What very interesting accounts Capt M’Clintock has brought home with him and what a satisfaction must it be to Lady Franklin that her own little ship should have made the discovery – We had not brought our map with us but yesterday Mamma and I called on Lady Richardson, and saw also Sir John Richardson who kindly lent us his, and pointed out the exact spot where the Records were found – I do not understand that as they had been so far North, to lat 70, in places where I suppose some of the Searching Expeditions have followed them, no previous ones should have been discovered – Did Sir John Richardson accompany Sir John Franklin in both his previous journeys and do you remember in what year? Lady R told us he was out in 1848 in search, but she did not say with what Expedition – It is the opinion of Sir John that they died of illness, and he thinks it very probable they may have been furnished with bad provisions; as he cannot otherwise account for so many officers and men having perished before the year 48 –
I had a letter the other day from Tilly from Dabton – she says they had not had so much rain as us, but that the weather is now spoilt and the leaves turning fast, she was expecting an invitation to Drumlanrig, as she had heard from Mrs Maxwell that the Duchess intended asking them before their return home, but she expected to be back at Speddoch before the end of the week – Of course you have heard the family news! (the birth of Valletort’s little girl) We were not aware till quite lately that such an event was expected, as Aunt Caroline had never mentioned it (I suppose she had forgotten she had never done so) but yesterday besides the announcement in the Paper, Valletort wrote to let us know – It was very early on Friday morning and Lady Katie and her baby he says were both doing well.
I suppose you have not escaped Equinoctial storms at Lacock The weather here for the last has been deplorable, excepting yesterday which was a lovely day, but today again we have a downpour – The country when there comes a ray of Sunshine is very beautiful in its Autumnal tints – the bracken on the mountains is quite brown and the Virginia Creeper on our house in all its beauty, I am sorry we shall miss it though at Lacock – it lasts so short a time in perfection.
What did you think of the visit of the Savants to Balmoral – it was rather a long drive for the few hours they remained there, but the Times seems to suppose that Sir David Brewster &c enjoyed the Sports very much - At any rate it was rather different to their occupations on the other days.
Good bye dear Papa yr affectionate daughter
Ela
[envelope:]
H F Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts