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Document number: 3898
Date: 03 Dec 1874
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Rosamond Constance
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 1st September 2003

Bath

3d December

My dear Papa,

Mamie <1> sends you this letter she received today from Aunt Caroline, <2> and which will no doubt interest you. She does not explain why she is going to Geneva? –

Will you please tell Charles <3> I <illegible deletion> will remember his commissions. He will see by my letter to you this morning that we had heard through the servants of John Wilkins’s <4> state, and Mama <5> immediately wrote both to Mr Crisp and to Wilkins about it. Torquay seems the most likely place to do him good if he can be got in. In fact if this does not succeed we do not know what else to propose. Sir John Awdry <6> subscribes, and is sure to be willing to give him his ticket if it is not already disposed of. Except a small sum of money deposited, and which is returned when the patient leaves, there is, you remember, no expense beyond the journey.

And now I must tell you about Goodwin. <7> Henriette saw him last night, and also the doctor, who had just been to him. He said he considered his case hopeless, and that 2 days ago he did not expect him to pass the night. His mind is quite deranged, he is sometimes quiet and recognises people, but sometimes very violent, destroying whatever he can lay his hands on. Yesterday when the poor Mother had left him alone, sitting in the Kitchen, for five minutes, she smelt something burning, and hurrying back, found Goodwin deliberately holding one of his flannel waistcoats in the fire. The doctor said yesterday that he ought certainly to be removed to an asylum, as he requires constant watching, and the poor old woman would certainly soon fall ill with the fatigue of incessant nursing, never even able to take off her clothes at night. So, as they cannot afford the 15 shillings a week required for the Asylum (as they have already incurred great expense for this illness) Mama said she was sure you would wish him sent, and to save time, immediately desired the necessary steps to be taken, and wished me to explain it all to you. It is to be hoped, for his own sake , as well as all connected with him, that he cannot linger long, but at any rate one will feel sure that he has every necessary attention and comfort for the short time that may remain. If we hear anything more before post time I will add it. So now goodbye, dear Papa, I hope you are taking care of yourself, and are not too cold at Lacock.

Your affectionate daughter

Rosamond


Notes:

1. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal ].

2. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.

3. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.

4. John Wilkins, son of George Wilkins, employed at Lacock ca.1867–1869.

5. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.

6. Sir John Wither Awdry (1795–1878), JP & Chief Justice, Bombay Supreme Court.

7. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.

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