10 Albyn place [sic] <1>
Tuesday Dec: 24th
My dear Papa,
This note must wish you a Merry Christmas instead of me tomorrow, but I won’t add and a happy New year, as many people consider the right thing, all in one breath, but keep that for the proper day, when I hope we shall be all snug at home together. Dear Mamie <2> is certainly a little better today, though she again appears very tired and weak this evening, and she cannot sit up for any length of time. But I am truly glad that we are here just now, where she has the advantage of Dr Moir <3>looking in twice a day to see how she is getting on, though in many other respects a lodging, however good, can never be quite so comfortable as one’s own house. It is very nice too to be so near Tilly <4> that we can see each other every day, however bad the weather and however thick the fog, though she declares that on Sunday she was nearly lost in it! going home but then it was particularly yellow.
I hope Charles <5> gave her message correctly, to the intent that it was very horrid that you had never paid that long promised visit to your little grandson! <6> She is beginning to be quite un-appy [sic] that you don’t come and see him, for he looks much more important now than when you saw him last. Only think he will be four months old tomorrow – quite a respectable age!
I cannot fancy it is really Christmas, perhaps on account of the dismal aspect of the streets with all the population in black, and I fan should think few people feel particularly inclined to be very merry this year. <7> However many things go on as usual and the Pantomime, Cinderella, is announced as something particularly splendid. There are several morning performances announced, so that if Charles was particularly energetic he might easily manage to come in and see it, but I am afraid he despises all such vanities. Our lodging house-keeper Mrs Stuart has two little boys who have been very good in going messages for us, so we are going to give them a treat and pay their places at the Pantomime tomorrow, to which they are looking forward with rapturous delight.
And now I must say goodbye, dear Papa, as it is getting late; I hope to hear that the Turkey proved very good.
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.
Have you got any holly?
Notes:
1. Edinburgh.
2. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
3. Dr John Moir (b 1809), French-born to British parents, MD, 52 Castle St, Edinburgh.
4. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
5. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
6. John Henry Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Jack’ (1861–1902), WHFT’s grandson.
7. Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, died on 14 December 1861.
8. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
9. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.