4 Circus Bath <1>
April 25th 1875
My dear Papa
Thank you very much for your kind letter <2> of this morning – and for your offer of a book for my birthday. – As I am coming over to Lacock next Tuesday, or some other day soon, we can talk it over together – but I have an idea that one might get a good standard work – (well bound and at a very reduced price.) at a new shop which perhaps you have not yet visited – which has been recently opened at the corner of Queen Square. I have not yet been inside except once to ask a question but there seems to be large collection of both new and second-hand works, and tomorrow I will look in and see whether there is anything very tempting to be had, and whether they have got a catalogue. –
The cold weather of the last few days has caused Monie <3> to put off her excursion for the present: – as it is hardly warm enough yet (though fine again) for sketching purposes –
Will you please to tell Charles <4> that I was accosted this morning at the Chapel by Mr Moore the geologist – who enquired whether he was now at Lacock, and whether he was aware of the field club meeting at Chipping Sodbury – I said I supposed he was, as he was now a member of the Club, but to make all sure Mr Moore said he would send him a notice. On my return home I heard from R that he was intending to come in to Bath for the meeting – but as I had not seen his last letter I did not happen to know of it.
Mama <5> thinks you will like to see John’s <6> letter which was sent her by Tilly <7> yesterday, and please after reading it, to return it – straight to Tilly herself by post – as she of course will like to have it back without delay. They seem I think to have had a very prosperous journey – and Jack <8> likes the idea of going to Eton – I only hope that Willie <9> will not mind being without him at May Place.
I am sure you will be sorry to hear that I have lost one of my nestlings. The two last hatched little Parraquets were not strong – and the weather has been two [sic] changeable for them. one has died and the other is exceedingly weak – but the two of the first nest are quite strong and I hope to rear them –
I will not add more dear Papa as I shall see you so soon.
Your most affectionate daughter
Ela
You do not say what day you are thinking of coming to Bath.
[envelope:]
H F Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. 4 the Circus, Bath; frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.
2. Not located.
3. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
4. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
5. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
6. Probably John Gilchrist-Clark (1830–1881), Scottish JP; WHFT’s son-in-law.
7. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
8. John Henry Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Jack’ (1861–1902), WHFT’s grandson.
9. William ‘Willie’ Gilchrist-Clark-Maxwell (1865–1935), WHFT’s grandson.