13 Gt Stuart St. <1>
Thursday
My dear Papa
Mamma, Monie <2> & I arrived here prosperously yesterday evening, – leaving Mamie & Henriette <3> still at Dabton <4> to follow in a few days – The weather was mild so the journey was not unpleasant though it was a slow train stopping at every station and 20 minutes late besides –
Thank you for your letter received at Dabton – Sunday last was wet and stormy in several places, though fine with us – on the whole we have been fortunate –
I found Linny and his wife <5> quite well having travelled safely under Rosy’s <6> care –
Our neighbours the Pitmans are still altering and improving at no 11 and will not be able to take possession for some little time,
How long do you stay at Lacock?
Good bye dear Papa
yr affecte daughter
Ela
Notes:
1. Edinburgh.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife and Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
3. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family and Henriette Sanit, French ladies maid.
4. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
5. Her pet canaries (See Doc. No: 09076).
6. A servant (See Doc. No: 09260).