Markeaton <1>
Tuesday
My dear Papa,
Mama <2> arrived quite safely yesterday evening, rather sooner than we expected, as she came on by the slow train from Birmingham instead of waiting for the Express at 5 o’clock. It was a wet miserable evening, after a very fine day, and she was of course tired, but today after a good night she seems much better. They are very anxious to keep her here as long as possible, so we have arranged not to start until Friday. We shall go by York and arrive in Edinburgh at 8.30. Your engravings <3> have been duly exhibited this morning and very much admired. You seem to have had on the whole better weather and less rain than we have here: but today promises. Yesterday I had a very pleasant expedition, to see some new acquaintances Mr & Mrs Hurt whom I met here last week.
They are great poultry fanciers and when she found out I was so fond of the subject, she invited me to go and see her establishment.
I went by train (they sent me in the carriage to the Derby station) to Ambergate, a pretty place on the road to Matlock, where Mrs Hurt met me, and we drove in an open poney carriage all along the river Derwent to their house about 3 miles further up the hills, and surrounded by wild and pretty woods. The place is named Alderwasly, and pronounced Arraslee! I was most hospitably received, shown every-thing, and returned by a very pretty woody walk – such a wood full of rocks, mosses and ferns, you would have been delighted!
The poney carriage met us again half way and we returned to the station about 5 o’clock. altogether a most pleasant day.
I have several more letters to write so must now say goodbye, dear Papa, Mama sends her love.
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.
Notes:
1. Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, NW of Derby: home of the Mundy family.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
3. Photoglyphic engravings.