Bath
Dec: 2d
My dear Papa,
Ela <1> is writing to Wilkins <2> about the Anemones, and directing him to send them on Saturday in a certain basket Tilly <3> left for the purpose. Your straw paper has been found and will be sent by Carrrier. We think you must have forgotten the photograph of Connie <4> done last year Spring in Edinburgh. It is as good a one as can be expected, and as it looks older, should do for several years to come! There would not be time to do a fresh one now. We were sorry to hear today that John Wilkins <5> is again laid up. I did not think him looking at all well last week, and he has probably caught a fresh cold. Mama <6> is writing to Mr Crisp to ask if Torquay would suit him, supposing he could have a ticket for the hospital there which did him so much good some year ago.
Goodwin <7> is also very ill, it is thought dying, though we cannot quite understand the contradictory reports that reach us. He is out of his mind at times, and very violent, breaking everything within his reach. I should think it was hardly safe for his poor old mother, who sits up at night watching him.
Mama has had a bad cold but has wisely remained three days in her room nursing it, so that it is much better. What a bright, cheerful day we have had, after last night’s severe frost. When are you coming to Bath? I am afraid you may not have had very comfortable dinners, as we hear Hill was laid up two days with a bilious attack. Tilly sent us some game, and we would have sent some to you only we believed you were going to London, and that Charles <8> was coming here.
Everybody sends their love.
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
2. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
4. Constance Stewart, née Gilchrist-Clark (b. 1863), ‘Connie’, WHFT’s Scottish granddaughter.
5. John Wilkins, son of George Wilkins, employed at Lacock ca.1867–1869.
6. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
7. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
8. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.