[this is written on the same sheet as notes from Caroline: see Doc. No: 00040; and Capt Feilding: see Doc. No: 01163]
Genoa.
16 Feby.
My Dear Henry
I did receive your letter from Melbury <1> but very long after it ought to have come, however as I love justice I will do it even to the Post office for <2> your letter from Bowood <3> came today & was a very comfortable one, as it told me many things I liked to know. I dont whether [sic] it did not give me more pleasure than anything that has occured [sic] since I came to Genoa. Before the post came in I was especially wishing for a letter from you, & behold it came! Things seldom turn out so dans ce bas monde <4>. Your Sisters <5> talk often of writing to you but their time is so parcelled out from eight in the Morning till nine at Night that in fact they have none for letters except of a Sunday
W. H. Fox Talbot Esqr
Inghilterra
2 Sackville St
Piccadilly
London
Notes:
1. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
2. Written off the edge of page.
3. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
4. Here below.
5. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister, and Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.