4 Circus <1>
April 9th 1876
My dear Papa,
I hope you will not disappoint us this time but really come on Wednesday. No doubt your chimney wants sweeping & it shall be done whilst you are away. I am going to write to Tucker about that & other things – Please thank Charles <2> for the bills. I will return them as soon as possible. It is Arthur Lane who has already left his new place, & is come back here for a character. He would have been much wiser to have remained with us a little longer – Mama <3> has written a line to Mrs Frampton <4> – It will be pleasant if they come whilst you are here. I hope the Abbey is thawing by this time – It was extraordinarily hot yesterday, too much for the season, and today the heavy showers are refreshing, though I am afraid they will dash the blossoms of our lovely little double peach before you have seen it. Only think of Mama’s energy – She is going tomorrow to Cheltenham to see Aunt Newton <5> & stay with her two days, & Ela <6> to is going with her to take care of her. Poor Mamie’s cough has been very bad indeed all the week, coming on in such fits nothing seemed able to stop it, and almost preventing her having any rest all night. Today I am glad to say it is better, & I hope really beginning to go off.
Goodbye dear Papa
Your most affectionate daughter
Rosamond
Notes:
1. 4 the Circus, Bath; frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.
2. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
4. Probably Charlotte Frampton, née Blencowe.
5. Eleanor Newton, née Stephenson (1788-1880), widow of Sarah Leaper Newton's brother, Robert Newton Leaper-Newton (1775-1846); she continued to live at Marle-Hill House, Cheltenham.
6. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.