Hotel Croix de Malte Genoa
Monday 30th March 1868
My dear Papa,
You will have heard through Ela’s <1> letter letter to Charles <2> that we were indefinitely detained here by Mama’s <3> indisposition. I am sorry she did not ask you to write direct here, instead of continuing to do so to Pisa until you heard from us again. Mama caught cold about a fortnight ago, one rather windy day that we went to see the Campo Santo, where one is much exposed to draughts : but it did not seem to be much for several days, and as she took care of herself by remaining strictly indoors and even taking to her bed for several days, we hoped it would soon wear off. But notwithstanding all care, as she seemed worse on Saturday, we sent for the English doctor, much recommended by the Hotel, and he declared she was suffering from an attack of congestion of the lungs, and must have leeches put on. We objected to this at first, as any loss of blood is serious for a person so delicate as she is, but he said it was the only thing that would give her relief, and in fact she does seem better since she has had them. She is still in bed of course, and I am afraid will feel very weak for some time, so that it is impossible yet to say when we may be able to move from here – Luckily we are very comfortable indeed in this hotel, and well served, and the charges are not very high. I will write and tell you in a day or two how we are getting on. This has been a bad season for colds, we have all had more or less, and Mamie <4>is today in bed with rather a severe lumbago. The weather is so dreadfully changeable – as bad I am sure as our much-abused native climate! The winds have often been extremely keen and trying, and all the hill tops around have been covered with snow, which is unusual so late in the Spring – In fact, I assure you we do not feel a bit warmer now than we did in the middle of January, and are obliged to keep constant fires. Today is cloudy, and if rain comes on I daresay it will grow milder afterwards. Please tell Charles that I had a letter from him forwarded from Pisa, in which he announced Charles Menteath’s <5>marriage of which we were very glad to hear – One of us will write soon to congratulate Mrs M – Mamie also got her New-York letter safely, and another forwarded also; < I think she?> but she was disappointed at not receiving one from you, which you had promised – Perhaps it is now at Pisa, and will turn up in a day or two.
I do not know that I can add much today, but from our next report you will perhaps be better able to fix your own plans – as It would be no use your setting out to join us until we are able to get away from here, as you would of course find it dreadfully dull here, with nothing at all to do – I hope you received my last letter of the 19th We had seen <in?> the paper the election of the Revd W. Awdry <6> – it is a fine thing for so young a man.
Love to Charles and with the same from us all to you, I am dear Papa, your affect daughter
Rosamond
The doctor has just been here, and finds Mama rather better this morning, but says it is a case requiring great care – He has several other patients ill of the same complaint – Mamie has just received your good long letter, and thanks you much for it. Poor Mama sends her love, and says it is very tedious to fall ill in out of the way places, and hopes you will commiserate her!Notes:
1. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
2. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
4. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal ].
5. Charles Granville Stuart Menteath (1800–1880), barrister.
6. Possibly William Henry Awdry (b.1842).