Penrice <1>
July
My dear Henry
I hope you will like the penwiper I have sent you, it is an insignificant present but my genius does not teach me how to do any thing better worth sending. I hope however it may sometimes be of use to you. –
We are in almost daily expectation of seeing Christopher <2> sail into the bay, he waits for a fair wind only I believe. Charlotte <3> is pretty well and the rest are all well Mary Anne is still with us & we hope to keep her until Jane <4> comes at least.
The hot weather burnt up our gardens very much but they are now looking very nice owing to the rain we had 2 days ago. We are very busy about the hay so Jem George <5> wishes for sunshine & we can hardly do otherwise it is such a pity to have the hay crop spoiled. –
Emma <6> went fishing one evening & caught a great many fish notwithstanding she talked across the pond to Mary Anne! little John Cottam had very good luck too but one large fish carried away hook & all which put a stop to his amusement. – All send their love to you.
I am your affate coz
Mary
Notes:
1. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
2. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
3. Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin.
4. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).
5. A servant of the Cole family.
6. Emma Thomasina Llewelyn, née Talbot (1806–1881), photographer; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.