Oakfield
October 3d
My dear Papa
Many thanks for your letter received on Monday. I am sorry that Lucy <1> has lost her culinary talents, for I remember she used to be a very respectable cook when we had her for a time at Greta Bank, <2> all alone, 7 years ago. But perhaps she might improve in pie-crust, if you suggested an alteration.
We have had such a storm all night, a perfect hurricane, which woke us all many times, as these violent west winds used to do at Greta Bank, and it still lasts with almost unabated fury. It is the equinox I suppose rather behind time, for it came on suddenly after a fine day yesterday. Nearly all last week was very sunny and beautiful, the mornings especially, and we have been out drawing several times. Tilly <3> was able to sit out of doors in the garden at Dabton <4>, and enjoy the mild air without fear of catching cold. She sends a greatly improved account of herself this morning, having nearly got rid of those pains in her sides, which she had suffered from since the long drive, and now that she feels so much better, I daresay she will begin to get some good from the change of air. We all thought like you that it was almost too soon for her to leave home, but it was entirely the Doctor’s doing, and as she writes quite merrily herself, we may be sure it did not do her any real harm, though she did feel the fatigue very much for a day or two afterwards. The Duchess of Buccleugh <5> came to see her a few days before she left Speddoch, <6> together with her niece Lady Ellesmere, and was, says Tilly, very kind and friendly, and very smart! Mr Clark <7> went to Edinburgh yesterday, and returns Thursday or Friday.
We hope to have some news of Charles <8> tomorrow. What a pity that he is still so far from well. It is very strange, for when he left us he seemed really much better, tired of doing nothing, and resolved to try and read reasonably and shake off some of his invalid habits. He has only written one real letter since he went, and that was chiefly full of self-accusations for having allowed himself to suffer from cold by neglecting to ask for a fire. However Mr Headlam <9>seems to be as kind as possible, and it will be satisfactory to have the opinion of his uncle <10> at Newcastle.
What you do you think is being done in the house today? the kitchen range which never has been touched since the day you left, is at last being put to rights by a man from Liverpool! It is a curious story, that range, from first to last, and we have had a great piece of work about it, which you shall hear next time you come, but which would be much too long to write about. Some people came to view the house yesterday, with a view to taking it for a term of years, which is of course what the Speddings <11> want – but they departed not seeming much charmed. It was not large and complete enough. I enclose a note <12> contained in a letter from Mary Talbot <13> to Ela. <14> It was to inquire after Matilda, and I suppose she must have fancied Mama <15> absent by not addressing it to her. Ela has answered. Good bye dear Papa; love from all
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond
[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Lucy Pullen, Lacock Abbey housekeeper, married to William Pullen.
2. Greta Bank, Cumberland, near Keswick.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
4. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
5. Lady Charlotte Anne (1811–1895), née Thynne, wife of the 5th Duke of Buccleuch.
6. Speddoch, Dumfriesshire, 10 mi NW of Dumfries: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
7. John Gilchrist-Clark (1830–1881), Scottish JP; WHFT’s son-in-law.
8. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
9. Rev Arthur William Headlam (1826–1909), clergy and tutor to Charles.
10. Probably Dr Moir, from Edinburgh. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter was recovering from giving birth to a still-born son in August [see Doc. No: 08174].
11. John James Spedding (1834-1909), JP.
12. No enclosure.
13. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795–1861), WHFT’s cousin.
14. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
15. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.