Augst 24
My dear Henry
As you were so good as to send us the pleasing intelligence of the birth of your little niece, <1> I can do no less than return the compliment and inform you that I have an additional one, born last Friday evening & I am happy to say both Isabella <2> and her babe are going on quite satisfactorily which is a great comfort. the two other children are extremely pleased with the baby and very desirous it should partake their pleasures and accompany them out of doors &c.
I have only been here about a week but Mamma <3> has been sometime with Isabella the children are very fond of their Grand Mamma and very good with her, for unlike most Grand Mothers she does not spoil them! –
Pray when you write to Aunt Lily <4> or any of them mention about Isabella’s 2d daughter as they will be glad to hear of it I am sure. – We have had sad wet weather of late and many flowers are very much spoiled but our soil being a very dry one, I left the garden in high beauty when will you ever bring Mrs Talbot <5> to see us & Penrice? <6> we are anxious you should come and think she would like it Kit’s <7> house at Margam <8> is finished enough to look very handsome and there are many resting places by the way where you are sure of a welcome if there are no beauties to attract you. –
Sir C. <9> seems bent upon going to see the race between the Galatea <10> & the Water Witch on the 1st Sepr but whether he will remain at Cowes for any time I do not know, for the present we remain here. –
Pray give my kind regards to Mrs Talbot –
I remain your affate coz
Mary
Clemenstone
Cowbridge
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
M.P.
31 Sackville Street <11>
Piccadilly
London
Clemenstone <12>
Augst 23d
My dear Henry
I take up my pen to send you the Joyful intelligence of the birth of another [illegible deletion]
Notes:
1. Adelaide Edgcumbe was born on 20 July 1834, but did not survive.
2. Isabella Catherine Franklen, née Talbot (1804–1874).
3. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.
4. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
5. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
6. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
7. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
8. Margam Park, Glamorgan: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
9. Sir Christopher Cole (1770–1836), Captain, MP & naval officer.
10. Christopher Talbot’s yacht.
11. Readdressed in another hand.
12. Remainder of text written on reverse of address panel.