4 Circus <1>
16th March 1875
My dear Papa,
Thank you very much for your kind letter and good wishes. I think Schliemann’s book on Troy <2> is likely to be very interesting, and one that I should like very much to possess, if you are so generous as to give it me. We are just now reading aloud the Shah’s journal of his European tour. It is quaint and amusing, and some of the remarks are full of naïveté. What do you think of the noble example set by the Emperor of Austria, <3> in having himself proposed that his interview with the King of Italy <4> should take place at Venice? When will the French ruler or nation act in a similar manner! Ela <5> will have told you all the news, and I will keep this open in case she brings any message which requires answering; I think I shall be coming over on Friday. You have had a sadly cold spell at Lacock this time, so I am sure a little change to Bath will do you good. I hope also the new footman will be able to come soon after Cox is here, as Alfred is anxious to go to this new place. Mama <6> proposes to give him 18 pounds the first year, as that is a sufficient rise considering what he has had before, and increase to 20 afterwards if he stays.
Mama’s cold is rather better. She consented at last to see Mr Fowler yesterday, and he found her suffering from great debility, and ordered nourishment in the shape of Brand’s Essence of Beef, a nice jelly, which requires no preparation, and can be taken in spoonfuls at any time of day.
Goodbye, dear Papa, love from all.
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond
Notes:
1. 4 the Circus, Bath; frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.
2. Heinrich Schliemann (1822–1890), German archaeologist, excavator of Troy, and Mycenae in 1876. The book was probably Troy and its Remains; a narrative of researches and discoveries made on the site of Ilium, and in the Trojan Plain…, translated by Miss L. D. Schmitz, and edited by Philip Smith (London: 1875).
3. Emperor Franz Joseph (1830–1916), Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary.
4. Victor Emmanuel II (1820–1878), King of Sardinia and 1st King of Italy.; the proposed meeting took place on the 4th of June 1875. See The Times (London), 13 March 1875; p. 5.
5. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
6. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.