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Document number: 605
Date: 18 Mar 1876
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Rosamond Constance
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 1st September 2003

4 Circus – Bath <1>

March 18th 1876

My dear Papa,

Thank you very much for your kind letter – I have been meditating on the subject of the book, and as I do not think of any one in particular that I wanted to have, I am sure Merivale’s history of Rome <2> would be very interesting, and therefore gratefully accept the offer.

Now I must tell you of my good luck – it seems that one of the drawings I sent to the “Lady Artists Exhibition” in London, was sold on the day of the opening – It was a view of Lichfield, at which Charles <3> will perhaps remember that I worked hard to get it sent off in time. The price was 5 guineas – Noel Mundy <4> bought another which he liked, a study of trees done, when with Tilly; in Morton Wood – price £2.10.– This, with the one already sold, makes £10.15.0 so you see I am rapidly growing rich! – but there are expenses to deduct, of course, frames &c.

I hope your plants arrived safe & will prosper, but we do not know that Daniels is good for other things besides bulbs. This year our garden will be rather a failure, I fear. The hyacinths & tulips are all flowering small, on account of the incessant rain –

We have sent you today the last apricots that are to be had: the shops only make their provision once a year, at Christmas!

There are still greengages and other things that may be equally good. We hope the new cook is going to prove a success, & I should like very much to know whether you have any thoughts of coming here before long: – of course you will come once more whilst we stay? In that case it would be better to remain as we are till you come, & establish her at Lacock when you return. Otherwise she shall be sent in about 10 days, as it won’t do to go on paying 2 cooks at once, & you want her more than we do. Please tell Charles that we think the carriage had better go at once to be painted, unless you should want it very soon. I can go over in the dog-cart when necessary. The plans for Jack <5> are altered, as they think, wisely, that Bournemouth would be too cold for him; so I believe that, when able to travel, he is to go to Capenoch with one of the Gladstone <6> boys, who has also had measles. I don’t know why they do not allow them quietly to recover at Eton, instead of sending them away, especially as the Easter holidays are so near. Willie is also not very well, suffering from a bad cold, but that is not surprising considering the weather. Tilly herself has had a severe attack of neuralgia in the face, but is much better.

Goodbye dear papa. All here are pretty well.

Your affectionate daughter

Rosamond

Mr & Mrs Raikes were here yesterday: she lunched with us, & said her mother, Lady Arbuthnot, <7> was enjoying lovely weather at Florence, and spring flowers!


Notes:

1. 4 the Circus, Bath; frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.

2. Charles Merivale, A general history of Rome … to the fall of Augustulus (London: 1875).

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

4. Francis Noel Mundy (1833–1903), WHFT’s nephew.

5. John Henry Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Jack’ (1861–1902), WHFT’s grandson.

6. See Doc. No: 02891.

7. Anne Fitzgerald (d. 1882), daughter of Field Marshall Sir John Forster Fitzgerald.

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