Markeaton
Thursday
My dear Papa
I hope you approve of Aunt Harriets kind invitation to me to remain here a little longer; I think I shall enjoy doing so very much and I am sure you will be glad of my having the opportunity of making acquaintance with the Nicholls whom I do not know at all – I do not exactly know when they are coming; I suppose not quite immediately, but I believe Mrs Nicholl will be of the party and you must let me know if you have any messages for her
We are just returned from Chaddesden where we had a very pleasant visit (with the exception of pouring rain) but they are people who know how to make themselves comfortable & fires were made all over the house in consideration of the bad weather – there was plenty to do however in examining all the curiosities the house contained, in fact it is quite a museum, & Major Wilmot displayed a large collection of Chinese dresses – enamels & china &c &c brought back by him from the seat of war, he has also a number of photographs done on the spot by a photographer accompanying the army, which give a very good idea of Pekin and the surrounding country all swampy and barren looking; Some of the curiosities come from the Emperor’s own apartments in the palace – Major Wilmot himself returned home after the death of his elder brother, he is just married and both he & his wife are very agreable people –
This deplorable change of weather came on after a heavy thunderstorm on tuesday [sic], and seems likely for the present to continue, it is cold and not in the least like the beginning of September, – and I daresay you have similar complaints to make at Millburn<1> –
Charles and I had planned an expedition to Haddon hall, but I fear we shall have to give it up, – unless the weather should change unexpectedly between this and next Tuesday –
I was glad to hear that at last you have seem the old ruined Chapel for I quite thought that you would leave Millburn without paying it a visit, which would have been too bad! –
Goodbye –
yr affectionate daughter
Ela
[envelope:]
H F Talbot Esq
Millburn Tower
Edinburgh
N B.
Notes:
1. Millburn Tower, Gogar, just west of Edinburgh; the Talbot family made it their northern home from June 1861 to November 1863. It is particularly important because WHFT conducted many of his photoglyphic engraving experiments there. The house had a rich history. Built for Sir Robert Liston (1742-1836), an 1805 design by Benjamin Latrobe for a round building was contemplated but in 1806 a small house was built to the design of William Atkinson (1773-1839), best known for Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford. The distinctive Gothic exterior was raised in 1815 and an additional extension built in 1821. Liston had been ambassador to the United States and maintained a warm Anglo-American relationship in the years 1796-1800. His wife, the botanist Henrietta Liston, née Marchant (1751-1828) designed a lavish American garden, sadly largely gone by the time the Talbots rented the house .