link to Talbot Project home page link to De Montfort University home page link to Glasgow University home page
Project Director: Professor Larry J Schaaf
 

Back to the letter search >

Result number 47 of 163:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >  

Document number: 8324
Date: 24 Feb 1861
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Rosamond Constance
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA61-036
Last updated: 1st September 2003

Edinbro’

Feb: 24th

My dear Papa,

We were sorry to learn from your letter to Mama <1> this morning that you have been so heavily visited by Thursday’s gale, but by the accounts which filled the papers of disasters all through the Midland and Southern counties, we thought that Lacock could hardly have escaped altogether. But which large elm has lost such a great branch; for you do not describe its position – It is <sic> one near the lodge, or, as we fear, the finest of all, that stands close to the Caldron pond? – I should be so sorry if it were that one.

As to the poplars, we conjecture them to have formed part of a thick group the other side of the road, just before coming to the gate of Caroline copse – If <sic> that right?

We have had no storm here at all, but only a few windy days: nothing remarkable; and the last three days have been very mild, sunny, and delightfully spring-like. Mamie <2> was able to take a little walk yesterday for the first time for very long.

On the night of your hurricane 20 – 21st, the grand fancy ball took place here; and only think how annoying it would have been, had carriages been unable to stand, and flying tiles and chimney pots rendered passage in the streets dangerous.

But nothing of the kind took place, on the contrary the ball went off with the greatest splendour and success, and all who were there say that they never witnessed a prettier and more brillant <sic> scene. Some of the costumes, gentlemen’s especially, were splendid: Court dresses in velvet & satin of every bright colour; turkish, <sic> Greek, Albanian costumes &c &c &c – and ladies innumerable with powdered hair surmounted with and cushions a foot high! 300 people altogether were present.

Poor Tilly <3> was sadly disappointed at being unable to go, and looked in melancholy mood at her husband’s handsome Vandyke dress of black velvet, when it was sent home the day before; – You know they were prevented by poor Miss Maxwell’s death. As for us we were afraid of the difficulty, expense, & bother of making up costumes, and so had decided from the beginning not to undertake it. But hearing that at the Assembly ball the following night many fancy dresses would re-appear, we went to see, but were disappointed – for one solitary gentleman only arrived in a bright costume of blue & yellow velvet, but when he perceived that he would be exposed alone to the gaze of the company he speedily, took himself off and disappeared!

Now, Papa, only think that I should not yet have thanked you for your letter! – I am ashamed. – We had had no news of Aunt Caroline <4> for some time, and were glad to hear of her having at length reached London. I suppose they have taken no house yet. We knew the decision of the Traherne case <5>yesterday, as soon as you, and were rather surprised; – as the testimony of the doctors was very positive as to his not being in a sound state of mind when he made his will.

Goodbye, dear Papa, your affectionate daughter

Rosamond.


Notes:

1. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.

2. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal ].

3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.

4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.

5. See Doc. No: 08314.

Result number 47 of 163:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >