Oakfield <1>
July 14th
My dear Papa,
I was faithless to my promise of writing yesterday, for we had such a regular arrangement of the house to get through, that the whole time slipped away without being able to be quiet a minute. The result of this is that we are infinitely more comfortable and conveniently lodged, and have gained a sitting-room down stairs, and a bed-room above, so that when you come, I hope you will be quite happy and snug. – The weather is very enjoyable, and a little rain last night has laid the dust. We propose going to Speddoch <2> on Tuesday, and about the same time, Mama <3> thinks of taking Charles <4> to Edinburgh, to get real good advice for him that one can depend on – for he is far from being in a satisfactory state, and we do not know exactly how to manage him. He has a most voracious appetite, a continual craving that he does not seem able to satisfy – and he thinks and talks of nothing but eating, so that we are always afraid he will hurt himself by overdoing it. Besides which he is so full of fancies of different kinds, and cannot bear the least occupation of any sort, objecting even to have any thing amusing read to him, for ever so short a time. However he is really looking rather better since we came, and that is only a week ago, so that after all time and care may be the only things necessary to set him up again. Mr Tweddle whom he has consulted here is not quite satisfactory, and the Barnard Castle Doctor evidently did not understand his case altogether, so that it would be more satisfactory to consult Dr Moir <5> or somebody one can rely on.
You have not told us where to direct after today – but I suppose Bayonne will be the right place till we hear from you again.
We are going out to call on the Speddings <6> so there is no time to write more; – and as I am not sure that this will reach you it is better not to make it a long letter.
I wonder whether your atmosphere is clear and your hopes of eclipse <7>unclouded – Goodbye, dear Papa, everybody sends their love,
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.
Notes:
1. Near Dunfermline in Scotland.
2. Speddoch, Dumfriesshire, 10 mi NW of Dumfries: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
4. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
5. Dr John Moir (b 1809), French-born to British parents, MD, 52 Castle St, Edinburgh.
6. John James Spedding (1834-1909), JP.
7. See Doc. No: 08157.