Penrice Castle Feb 4. 1855
My dear Talbot,
You will all be grieved when I tell you that dear lady Mary <1> was Taken from us at ½ 6 last Evening. We arrived on that morning to stay over the 11th which was her birthday She appeared to be very cheerful & dined with us yesterday she complained of uneasiness but nothing occurred to incite alarm till a few minutes before dissolution when they brought up Talbot<2> We are all overwhelmed by this sudden shock poor dear Miss T.<3> bears up wonderfully T. [illegible] wh who know so well that all but [illegible] character we have lost I now say no more With our best regards to Mrs Talbot, <4>
I remain Yours ever truly
John M. Trahearne
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts.
Notes:
1. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, nιe Fox Strangways; first m. Talbot (1776- 3 Feb 1855), WHFT's aunt.
2. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot, 'Kit' (1803-1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT's Welsh cousin.
3. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795-1861), WHFT's cousin.
4. Constance Talbot, nιe Mundy (30 Jan 1811 - 9 Sep 1880), m. WHFT 20 Dec 1832.