Venice.
Sunday 11th October 1868.
My dear Papa,
I gave Charles <1> a full account of all our travelling impediments the other day, and though things now are beginning to look better we cannot yet fix on any precise time for our departure. You no doubt have had in the Times <2> the accounts of all the floods, which have been most desastrous [sic] and almost without precedent in their severity all over the country. For about a week, the havoc on all the lines was so general, in each day bringing fresh tidings of bridges carried aways &c, that hardly any one ventured to stir from here, and those who were on their way hither could not arrive. Only yesterday morning, a party starting for Milan found, on their arrival at Verona, such a complete breakdown, that they preferred coming all the way back to the difficulties and annoyances of getting across the flood. In some places, it is said, people and baggage have to be carried on men’s shoulders through the water where the bridges have been completely swept away – However the repairs of the Appenine route near Porretta, with which we are chiefly interested, have been progressing steadily; and it is hoped may be available for traffic in a patchy condition next week if no fresh rains occur. But there is another interruption on our route near Ferrara, at a place called Pontelagoscuro, where the railway crosses the Po, which is there of great width, over a very long wooden bridge. It was considered in so perilous a condition that no train at present ventures upon it, and passengers have to cross on foot, a distance of at least a mile I should think. So you see we must have patience for a while longer: and in the mean time where could one be better than living in the water altogether, as one does here? We defy all floods to damage us!
The weather although also is certainly changing: yesterday and Friday have been extremely bright and much colder, with a north wind, so that Mama <3> actually began to feel chilly! The thermometer fell for the first time as low as 69 – I think it is far pleasanter than the Scirocco. Mr and Mrs Abbott <4> must be in dismal plight some where – we had a letter from them just leaving England on the 21st, and intending to go by the Rhine to Switzerland and to cross over the S. Gothard from Lucerne to Como last Monday. But that must have been impossible, and we have heard nothing of them since. I wonder how Mr Talbot and his daughters <5> fared? We met another Mr Talbot here last week (Honble Gerald) – a brother of the late Lord Shrewsbury, <6>with his wife and daughter – and made their acquaintance. He is travelling for his health, impaired in India, and had been to S. Moritz, which they found, like you, desperately cold. Here on the contrary it was far too relaxing, and so as soon as it was possible, they hurried off, determined to get to Milan at any cost; and as we have heard nothing of them I suppose they succeeded. He seems rather a heavy sort of man. We liked his wife better; and the daughter also appears pleasant, but is a perfect giantess! Mamie <7>desires me to thank you for your letter, and say that Mr Stilwell’s <8> account does not seem of sufficient importance to send by post. It will do quite as well if you or Charles bring it when you come. She has written to Mr Stilwell to give him our address out here, should he wish to have any direct communication. Please ask Charles to let us know a little while before he leaves England in case y we should have some small commission to give him, as opportunities are so rare.
The news from Dabton <9> was very unexpectedly and disappointing. I am afraid poor Tilly will have felt it very much, and accused herself of want of care and caution – but it is a great comfort that she is recovering so well. <10> We have not taken to fires yet, but they are laying down the carpets in all the rooms, which looks very much like preparing for winter. Every one sends their love
Your affect daughter
Rosamond
What do you think of affairs in Spain, and which of the numerous candidates is destined to succeed the deposed Queen? Certainly not the Duke of Edinburgh who has just started on 2 year’s cruise.
Et qu’irait-il faire dans cette Galère? The one he has embarked in is far the safest! –
Notes:
1. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
2. The Times (London).
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
4. Francis Abbott, Secretary of General Post Office, Edinburgh, and his wife, Frances Jane, née Parker.
5. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin. His daughters Charlotte Emily and Bertha Isabella Fletcher, née Talbot (1841-1911), who married John Fletcher (1827-1903), of Saltoun, JP. [See Doc. No: 09423.)
6. Henry John Chetwynd Talbot, 18th Earl Shrewsbury, 5th Baron Talbot (1803–1868).
7. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
8. Stilwell & Company.
9. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
10. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter. She gave birth prematurely and the baby, a boy, was still-born. (See Doc. No: 09421.)