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 50 of 163:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >  

Document number: 8344
Date: Tue 19 Mar 1861
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Rosamond Constance
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA61-49
Last updated: 5th August 2010

Edinburgh.
Tuesday. March 19th

My dear Papa,

Many thanks for your letter, and for the 2 volumes of Froud History. <1> I guessed at it quite well through the paper cover, although you tried to lead me astray by calling it a book in 2 vols, whereas it is the middle of a book, as there are still other Vols to come! I am so very glad to possess it – though I am sure it makes everybody else quite jealous! – I was beginning to deliver your message in full to Tilly, <2> when she stopped my mouth by saying that she had just written two days before; so I hope you have found that letter to contain all that you wanted, and that she has made up for all her delinquencies. We have had some stormy weather last week, accompanied by snow which did not lie long; and the wind was so violent on Sunday that intrepid church-goers were nearly blown off their feet, and none of us dared venture out. Yesterday (fine though still windy,) Mama was able to return to Milburn tower, <3> to make a minute inspection thereof –

Only think of the Apricots trees there being all in flower last week, so early as the 13th of March! the Kitchen garden is very sheltered.

Charles Kean <4> is going to appear for a single night more, next week, on his way from Glasgow to London and perform Richard III. We have already taken places, as there is quite a rush for them. This additional performance was quite an unexpected un compliment to Edinburgh for its flattering reception of Mr & Mrs Kean, but it is to be regretted that they did not undertake a longer engagement, here especially as there is a rumour that they intend visiting America next season if tolerably quiet, and therefore may probably not appear here again for two years at least. I assure you we shall feel quite sorry when they are gone.

The balls and other part yies are suspended just now, on account of the death of the Duchess of Kent, <5> but I suppose not for long. What a damp it will cast on London, just at the very beginning of the season! There have not been half so many things going on here as most winters, but quite enough for us; – We have been to several balls, private & at the Assembly, lately; and I was out every evening last week except Tuesday, and was not particularly tired at the end of it – What do you think of that?

When you get Charles <6> down at Lacock please do tease him to write to us, for he is getting idle, and he will have plenty of leisure there. He would be angry if he saw this message though, for I did at last get a short letter from him last Saturday, but there was really so very little in it; – he never gives any account of what he is doing or writes anything amusing.

I hope it is because he is so very busy, and that you will find him particularly diligent in the reading he proposes! Goodbye, dear Papa, love from all. Mamie <7> has been saying every day that she was going to write to you & something prevented her.

Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.

Please do’nt [sic] forget to bring the Horticultural seeds.

Mr Grieve <8> has just been here to talk to Mama again about Milburn tower; and as there are several little things which Mama wishes him to engage to do should you really take the house, and which he wo’nt [sic] promise without seeing exactly on the spot what they are, they have set out together to visit the house, and wo’nt be back till near five o’clock: – therefore Mama <9> told me to tell you she should not be able to write to you as she had promised today, but will certainly tomorrow.


Notes:

1. James Anthony Froud, History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth (London: John W Parker, 1860).

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

3. Millburn Tower, Gogar, just west of Edinburgh; the Talbot family made it their northern home from June 1861 to November 1863. It is particularly important because WHFT conducted many of his photoglyphic engraving experiments there. The house had a rich history. Built for Sir Robert Liston (1742-1836), an 1805 design by Benjamin Latrobe for a round building was contemplated but in 1806 a small house was built to the design of William Atkinson (1773-1839), best known for Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford. The distinctive Gothic exterior was raised in 1815 and an additional extension built in 1821. Liston had been ambassador to the United States and maintained a warm Anglo-American relationship in the years 1796-1800. His wife, the botanist Henrietta Liston, née Marchant (1751-1828) designed a lavish American garden, sadly largely gone by the time the Talbots rented the house .

4. Charles Kean (1811-1868), an actor who toured the US to great acclaim but who was less successful on the British stage. As a manager, he produced 'authentic' Shakesperian revivals and introduced the young Ellen Terry in juvenille roles.

5. Mother of Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901).

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

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

8. Mr Grieve, one of the trustees of the property, acting on behalf of his newphew, Sir Liston Fowlis. [See Doc. No: 08345.]

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

Result number 50 of 163:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >