[The envelope for this letter is in a private collection:]
H F Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
___________
Bath
Janry 1 0 1th
My dear Papa
Monie <1> has been heard of from Derby - she missed her train at Crewe and had a waiting at Stafford which gave her time to write a letter which she posted on arriving at Derby. - she had a fine day for her journey, and had got on very prosperously - but would only get to Derby at five instead of three oclock as she had hoped. Here it rained all yesterday and was very disagreable - today is cold and foggy -
There is but little to say as nothing has happened since you left. I am thinking of coming over to Lacock on Tuesday morning - (weather permitting) by 10-10 train from Corsham. <2> not tomorrow at any rate.
I hope you do not feel too cold at Lacock. - but I am afraid it must be gloomy and foggy there as here.
Good-bye dear papa
Your affectionate daughter
Ela
Mama and Mamie <3> are both pretty well.
Notes:
1. Rosamond Constance 'Monie' Talbot (1837-1906), artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter.
2. Corsham Court, Wiltshire, 3 mi NW of Lacock: seat of Ld Methuen.
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811-1880), WHFT's wife, and Amélina Petit De Billier, 'Mamie', 'Amandier' (1798-1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].