Coedriglan <1>
June 3d
My dear Henry
I heard that you had intended a visit to Glamorganshire in June and I hope you will not leave us out of your scheme – we have no intention of leaving home at present therefore it will be equally convenient to us to see you & Mrs Talbot & baby <2> either on your way to or return from Penrice <3> or both and you may be sure the longer time you bestow upon us, the better we shall be pleased – if you have not abandoned your idea of seeking for a cottage near here you can fix your headquarters with us during your search – I am glad to hear Aunt Lily & Horatia <4> are in England – I suppose they will stay sometime in London – I hope Mrs Talbot is well – We shall be delighted to shew you this place which is looking very pretty now, all the trees being just out and shrubs in blow – the dry weather has rather hurt the garden – You have not perhaps heard that Bella & Emma <5> have each got a boy – both fine children and the Mamma’s [sic] were going on well when I heard last – a few days ago –
Sir Christopher <6> has taken a house in that neighbourhood for a year on trial I understand it is furnished and rather too villaish for my taste, but they will see how they like it in a twelvemonth – Mama <7> is still staying with Emma I believe, but as they talk of leaving Penrice the first of July (though I dare say it will not be so soon) I suppose she will soon return there – Our love to Mrs Talbot & believe me my dear Henry
Your affectionate cousin
Charlotte Traherne
W. H. Fox Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. Coedriglan, near Cardiff, Wales: home of the Rev John Montgomerie Traherne, husband of WHFT’s cousin Charlotte.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife, and Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
3. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
4. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother, and Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
5. Isabella Catherine Franklen, née Talbot (1804–1874), and Emma Thomasina Llewelyn, née Talbot (1806–1881), photographer; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
6. Sir Christopher Cole (1770–1836), Captain, MP & naval officer.
7. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.