Lanelay <1>
Monday
My dear Henry
Your letter vexes me very much because I was so careful of your letter from Horatia <2> I only let Mamma read it before I sent it off by the post directed to you at the Athanæum <3> [sic]! I conclude it is there now & I hope you will recover it from thence. it was very interesting & we were very much obliged to you for sending it. I am always extremely particular in returning letters and if you had only given me your direction no doubt the letter would have reached you long ago.–
Mr Nicholl <4> has been in England for the last fortnight but he has not found time to come to see us, indeed he was full of business before he was called to be the comforter of his poor Brother in law the Dean of St Asaph who as you probably know lost his Son by a melancholy accident at Cambridge, having been killed on the spot by a fall from his horse which out riding with Mr Stuart he was just 19 his only Child! & one who has occupied his thoughts in every way from his birth as his Mother died before he could walk alone! a more amiable young man could not be met with. –
Jane <5> &c are at Pau & expect to reach England the first week in July I had good accounts of them all lately but my letters are gone to Emma <6> & I cannot send them to you –
Isabella <7> & Jane just came back from an excursion to the Dinâs a beautiful drive & walk on the North side of it, I have time for no more
Mamma <8> sneezes sadly and is languid from the hot weather I am sorry to say. –
I am your affate coz
Mary
Notes:
1. Llanely, or Lanely, Glamorganshire: home of Lady Mary Cole and Mary Thereza Talbot.
2. Letter belonging to Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister not located.
3. Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, London: WHFT’s club; a gentleman’s club composed primarily of artists and scientists.
4. Dr John Nicholl (1797–1853), MP.
5. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).
6. Emma Thomasina Llewelyn, née Talbot (1806–1881), photographer; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
7. Isabella Catherine Franklen, née Talbot (1804–1874).
8. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.