Dec 13th
My dear Papa,
We had a present of game from Tilly <1> this week, and as you have delayed coming two days, 2 birds will be sent to you by Carrier tomorrow – viz: a Wild Duck, and a Grey Hen.
I hope you received the Daily News this morning: Mama <2> will send back the Times <3> as soon as she has done with it.
She has caught rather a heavy cold, not surprising when one is called upon to endure such rapid changes – the hardest of hard frosts yesterday, as if intending to last a fortnight, and today as mild and wet as ever.
Mr Charles Menteith <4> lunched with us yesterday, and remained an hour talking very pleasantly. He was leaving Bath today to go home, and has invited us all to go and see him and his wife, whenever we happen to be in London, as they live d only 19 miles off, at a place called Cobham (not Chobham,) only half an hour by rail.
I will turn up on Wednesday morning at Lacock, if it does not rain, & should I hear nothing to the contrary from you will take a return-ticket to Corsham
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.
Notes:
1. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3rd daughter.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
3. The Times (London).
4. Misspelling of Charles Granville Stuart Menteath (1800–1880), barrister