Dabton <1>–
Dec. 9th
1874
My dear Papa –
I hope you got my card despatched from Thornhill on Monday evening. We had a capital journey – and Connie <2> finds that change of air has done her cold good though she has not quite got rid of it yet – Tilly <3> thinks her looking very well and flourishing and Mamay is in high spirits at having got her sister back again – They are all looking well I think, though Mamay has a little cold –
Yesterday was a horrid cold day, with east wind and storms of sleet, today fine after a stormy frosty night – but the roads are covered with ice & slippery. I dare say by this time it is cold at Lacock too – and no doubt you will soon be seeking warmer quarters at Bath – I dare say Charles <4> is already gone there as I heard the church business was off his hands for the present. I think they are quite right in postponing the spire till next year – as it would not be good weather for building at present.
Mrs Maxwell left for Edinburgh yesterday, in the midst of the storm – and Miss Gordon has taken her final departures and is in London – looking out for a situation – she has heard of nothing suitable yet. –
The Japan Anemone roots arrived all right and were planted out by the gardener this morning – Tilly says that when at Lacock she had said she wanted some other things but has forgotten herself now what they were. – it is a pity she did not make a list. The hills are covered with Snow today – and the ground was white all about Shap as we came along. –
We left Bath by 7.30 train and drove up to the door here about 9 ocl. It was a bright starry night. –
Good bye dear papa
Your affecte daughter
Ela
[envelope:]
H F Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
2. Constance Stewart, née Gilchrist-Clark (b. 1863), ‘Connie’, WHFT’s Scottish granddaughter.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
4. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.