Margam
June 16
My dear Henry
It was very good of you to write to me & I rejoice in the brilliancy of this, the eventful day sincerely hoping you may have the pleasure of witnessing the happy life of your dear Matil <1> & never having cause to regret having intrusted her to another’s care! I feel it absurd to send congratulations to Parents when they part with their family treasures! and therefore I hope you will tell dear Cousin Constance <2> that is the reason I do not write to her. –
I hope Rosamonds <3> health is improving & that Ela <4> is quite strong now – No doubt the Old people will enjoy their feast at Lacock very much it will imprint the day in their memories & be spoken of as the happiest day of their lives, to their Grand Children (I hope Old Maids were admitted to share it likewise?) on such a brilliant & hot day how pleasant the Cloisters must be! – I shall be very glad to hear again when you have time to write Chrisr <5> came down for a few days but returned to Town yesterday. My dear little charge has suffered so much from Neuralgia (I hate the word) in her face that she cannot get up her strength & the Doctor is too careful I think, & has not yet allowed her to go out, she takes iron to it not as you used to do 50 years ago! in a roasted Apple! I have Your letter amongst my hoards at Penrice & remember it well.
My love to my Cousins
Ever affately yours
Mary T. T.
Notes:
1. Matilda Caroline Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3rd daughter had just married John Henry Gilchrist-Clark (1830-1881), 'Jack', Scottish JP.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (30 Jan 1811 - 9 Sep 1880), WHFT's wife.
3. Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906, died & buried at San Remo, Italy); 'Monie', artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter.
4. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1st daughter
5. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot, 'Kit' (1803-1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT's Welsh cousin.
6. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot(1796-1874), WHFT's cousin.
7. Rev Edward Powell Nicholl (1831-1902), Vicar of Lacock from 1864 until his resignation in 1870; photographer.
8. Lucy Mary Nicholl (1824-1876), of Merthyr Mawr.