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Document number: 7920
Date: Wed 20 Jul 1859
Harold White: 20 Jul 1859
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Rosamond Constance
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 8th December 2011

Grasmere <1>
Wednesday.

My dear Papa,

It is very hot today and close, and has been raining and thundering all the morning, except early, when the sun was very fierce. Just now we were called out to see the river which was jus almost dry suddenly filled by a rush of waters from the mountains; it was quite curious such a sudden transformation in a moment from a shallow brook to a rushing torrent. I think we shall be very comfortable in this pretty little house <2> when we are well arranged, but as yet we have hardly had time to unpack. George <3> will be able to sleep in the house till Charles <4> comes when we shall have to make another arrangement to get him in. Goodwin <5> is not yet arrived; – we got here yesterday about half past six, as there was a little delay occasioned by the amount of luggage. The house is very nicely furnished and so clean, and there are a good many books, which had we known we need not have brought so many of our own. As for the Kitchen garden there does not seem to be much in it, besides a few potatoes and peas and a row of raspberries bushes. – Our little birds are very lively today and seem none the worse for their journey, but there are two cats in the house! – We are all rather tired which is partly the effect of the thunder; but the gardener has just called to take the letters to the post, so I must conclude especially as I have a horrible pen and worse ink! – So Good bye, dear Papa,

Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.

I dare say you did not reach Furness <6> yesterday but slept at Newby Bridge. <7>

Notes:

1. Grasmere, Westmoreland: popular summer venue; Wordsworth is buried there.

2. Rothay Bank, where they stayed until mid-October.

3. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.

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

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

6. Dalton-in-Furness.

7. Further north, at the southern tip of Lake Windermere.

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