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Document number: 8632
Date: Tue 31 Dec 1862
Dating: 1862?
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Rosamond Constance
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA62-79
Last updated: 17th February 2012

10 Albyn place
Tuesday 31 December.

My dear Papa,

Many thanks for your nice letter just received, and for your good wishes. What a pity one cannot vary the phrase, but you mustn’t mind the monotony, and so Mamie <1> and I wish you, Mama <2> and all a very very happy New year.

Is it really true that you are thinking of coming over tomorrow? – We should be so glad to see you; but remember, dear Papa, that all the shops are j shut, and that it is impossible to do any business at all here on New year’s day.

All the exhibitions are open of course, and crammed with visitors of all sorts, so that quiet people have to keep out of the way. It is a pity Goodwin <3> and Rosy have chosen that day for the Pantomime, but I suppose they couldn’t help it. Please tell Mama that Mamie thinks she will be able to spare Henriette <4>to go with them, which will make them all very happy. She will be ready when they call. I am glad you saw the eclipse; this is not a favourable place for observation, as the Sun does not rise above the opposite houses all day, and only appears in a gap for a short time at about 12 when I looked out but saw nothing. I suppose it was too early. This was the first fine morning, free from fog, we have had for a long time. The afternoon, when I was out with Tilly, <5> as disagreable [sic] as could be, quite thick and muddy, which made the pavement so slippery we could scarcely keep our feet. Please thank Mama for her good long letter.

I have ordered the peerage as she desired, and the Last of the Barons is waiting for Charles <6> on the table.

Dear Mamie is getting on well, though slowly; I am sure Mama found a great difference when she saw her yesterday, and Dr Moir <7> considers her well enough for him to discontinue his evening visits.

Only think that you should never yet have come over to see what sort of quarters we are lodged in! I am sure you will think very comfortable [sic]. It is late, so I must come to an end.

So goodbye, dear Papa, love to all.
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.

Mamie sends her love, and thanks to Mama for all her good wishes and messages.
I hope George Wilkins <8> will arrive in time for the Pantomime. He would enjoy it so much.

Notes:

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

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

3. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.

4. Henriette Sanit, French ladies maid.

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

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

7. Dr John Moir (b 1809), French-born to British parents, MD, 52 Castle St, Edinburgh.

8. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.

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