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Document number: 8429
Date: Thu 27 Jun 1861
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Rosamond Constance
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA61-120
Last updated: 17th February 2012

Millburn Tower <1>
Thursday June 27th

My dear Papa,

We were very glad indeed to get your letter to Mama <2> this morning, as we were beginning to wonder what had become of you.

It must indeed have been hot in Piedmont, judging merely from what we have felt here; but some very welcome rain this week has refreshed and cooled us, and caused the garden to improve very much.

We have at length got a coachman who promises well – he arrived today. He <3> is an unsophisticated highlander, from Blair Athole, unmarried – asks moderate wages, whereas all the others proposed were most extravagant in their terms, and is to be made useful in a variety of ways, as he is used to combine the duties of gardener and groom.

As for Pullen <4> he is already in a fidget to be off, pretending that his garden will suffer from his absence &c &c, and can scarcely be persuaded to remain the time necessary to put the new man in the right way of his duties.

I hope you got my letter at Nice – Ela <5> also wrote there, but I am afraid hers must have arrived after you were gone.

Tilly <6> had proposed another little visit here from Saturday to Tuesday, which we should all have enjoyed very much, but Mama thought it would be scarcely prudent for her now to risk the fatigue of the drive, and therefore persuaded her to give it up. So I am going instead to spend those days with her in Edinburgh in order that she may not be quite alone whilst Mr C. <7> is gone to Speddoch to look after the building. She continues to be perfectly well.

Mamie <8> sends you this message: – that she hopes you will let her know what day you are to be in London, that she may direct a letter to you there.

We expect you here very soon, and I hope the weather will continue as fine as it is now for your arrival, that you may find everything looking cheerful and comfortable. And do’nt [sic] forget to give us a day or two notice, that your room may be prepared and made very nice.

Mama received the wedding cards of Mr and Mrs Arthur Headlam <9> this morning.

Goodbe, dear Papa, love from all Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.

We are going to dine at the Primroses <10>tomorrow.

Notes:

1. 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 .

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

3. Not yet identified.

4. William Pullen, Lacock Abbey coachman.

5. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.

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

7. John Gilchrist-Clark (1830–1881), Scottish JP; WHFT’s son-in-law.

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

9. Rev Arthur William Headlam (1826–1909), clergy and tutor to Charles Henry Talbot. On 26 June 1861, he married Agnes Sarah, née Favell.

10. Hon Bouverie Francis Primrose (1813-1898) and his wife Frederica Sophia, née Anson (1814-1867).

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