My Dear Henry
My Sister <3> is very sorry you did not come with us & hopes you will tomorrow or next day or any day you like. I am to have her horses Thursday to go down & look at my works (which have more materialism in them than yours) & can bring you back with me or stay with you, which ever you like. Caroline <4> does not come till Wednesday, Dr & Mrs Fowler <5> are here, and Mr & Mrs Burke ( Lady Kerry’s <6> eldest sister) and Mr & Mrs Moore <7> come Wednesday & stay till Friday – so take your choice of days Write to me & let me know – you may enclose to Shelburne <8> for the present
aff yrs
E F
Wright <9> will not stir from the Abbey if you tell him to remain in case of wanting to send for Mr Kendrick <10> in the quickest manner. Tell him to get my black silk cloke [sic] left at Hartham Park <11>
Notes:
1. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
2. Lady Elisabeth is continuing this letter in Doc. No: 05197, which in connection with Doc. No: 03974 suggest the date of 25 November 1839 for this letter.
3. Louisa Emma Petty Fitzmaurice, née Fox Strangways, Marchioness of Lansdowne (1785-1851), wife of Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1837-1838; WHFT's aunt.
4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
5. Richard Fowler (1765–1863), physician.
6. Lady Augusta Lavinia Priscilla Fitzmaurice, née Ponsonby, Lady Kerry (1814–1904).
7. Thomas Moore (1780–1852), Irish poet, and his wife, Elizabeth (Bessie) Moore, née Dyke (1783–1865).
8. Henry Fitzmaurice, Lord Shelburne, 4th Marquess of Lansdowne (1816–1866), MP.
9. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.
10. Dr Kendrick, Talbot family doctor in Wiltshire.
11. Hartham Park , Chippenham, Wiltshire.