Lacock Abbey
June 24th
My dear Papa,
Mama <1> duly received your letter on Saturday afternoon, and we were glad to see you had less rain on the road than we had after you were gone and the whole evening. It has become uncommonly damp, close and steamy. What a pity you did not write a line or send a message to Aunt Caroline <2> before you tried to see her on Saturday, for she would be so very much vexed if you went away without having been able to meet her at all. I see her name in the list of company at the Queen’s ball, but I wonder whether she really was there or not. Yesterday I had a letter from Tilly <3> with, at last, a description of Glen Stuart house, and which as I am sure you will be curious to hear about it, I will copy her own words: – the rest of the letter is chiefly about turkeys &c – She says:
“While we were in Dumfries we debated whether it was likely that Goodwin <4>should succeed in his mission to [Halecat], or whether Johnnie <5> should still go to visit Glen Stewart house; He at last decided to go, as it could at least do no harm, so he went by the 2 o’clock train on Monday, and was down again in time to admit of our being at home for dinner. His report was – That the house was very pretty, and the situation picturesque and secluded, in a deep glen, full of Rhododendrons – surrounded by large tall trees, as big as those at Lacock. – That the house was small – only two available sitting-rooms; the passage so narrow that only one person could conveniently walk along it. The bedrooms small – The furniture in such a confusion that it was impossible to judge of it, as it was piled up into some of the rooms, leaving the others empty. The only piece of furniture in one of the bedrooms at present being a grand piano! and that the house was to be papered and painted before the entrance of the tenant!! He seems to have been very much struck by the prettiness of the place, seeing it on a bright, dry, hot day. You step out of the drawing-room on to natural rock, (I suppose something like Grasmere cottage) and the trees come thickly up close to the house, so that it is likely to drip and steam in damp weather.” –
I am sure you will be surprised at the first part of this description, as we had no idea it was so pretty – and like us regretful that the house was no better, and that there was that condition about the shooting to make it impossible for us – for only think what a charming little place it might be, and what flowers would grow on those rocks, and under the influence of a tolerably mild climate, as all that coast is said to enjoy.
We have heard nothing of Charles <6> since he set out, so Mama is going to write him a line today. She has had two nice letters from Mrs John Spedding who is evidently anxious to make us as comfortable as possible. I suppose you will stay long enough in Paris for a letter to be addressed to you there Poste Restante to tell you of our movements.
But no doubt you will tell us positively where to write, that there may be no mistake.
And now good bye, dear Papa, for it is getting late.
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.
[envelope:]
H.F. Talbot Esqre
Athenæum Club
London.
Notes:
1. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
2. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
4. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
5. John Gilchrist-Clark (1830–1881), Scottish JP; WHFT’s son-in-law.
6. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.