London
Thursday
My dear Henry
I did not understand from your note that you were going down to Laycock yesterday so I did myself the honour of calling at your door to inform you how well Jane <1> & her babe were going on and we were much disappointed not to see you. Lucy <2> always calls you her Uncle, her idea of a cousin being more diminutive. she wanted very much to know when her Uncle was coming with the pin & the straw! I hope you comprehend that this means the “needle in a bundle of hay”! –
[overleaf:]
My dear Henry
I send you this to show you what I had written to send you nearly a fortnight ago! – So you expect me at Lacock & I hear from Penrice <3> you shirk the wedding! <4> – I am too dependant upon others to be able to make any arrangements for myself, & tho’ I should like to see you all very much I do not suppose it can be now, indeed I do not know which road I shall go! – love to all.
your affate coz
Mary –
W. H. Fox Talbot Esqre
Notes:
1. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874). The baby was probably her 5th child and 3rd daughter, Christiana Judy.
2. Lucy Mary Nicholl (1824-1876), eldest daughter of Jane and John Nicholl. [See Doc. No: 01216].
3. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
4. Possibly that of Isabella Catherine Franklen, née Talbot (1804–1874). [See Doc. No: 01907 of 8 December 1829, which also refers to Jane’s recent confinement].