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Document number: 00056
Date: Sat 23 Jan 1875
Dating: the day after Doc no 04044
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Constance, née Mundy
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 29th January 2011

Bath
Saturday.

My dear Henry

Thank you very much for your letter received this morning – I am glad you took advantage of the fine weather yesterday to take a survey of everything. – the flowers in the houses, and the poor wreck of the old Willow

I remember that you & I held a consultation with Wilkins <1> on the state of that tree, some years ago, & that you decided to spare it for as long as it might chance to stand, altho’ it might possibly injure some neighbouring trees in its ultimate fall. You do not say that any such damage was done – The Bouquet per carrier is beautiful – thanks for adding to it the Primula denticulata. We have crocus aconite, Christmas Rose all in great beauty, but not in such profusion as at Lacock. Snowdrops showing flower – you know we reckon this little garden to be rather forwarder than Lacock.

A Post Card just received from Rd <2> reports her journey to 80 Westbourne Terrace W. yesterday, to have been very quietly & prosperously accomplished

Probably you had a Post Card also – I am sending Alfred <3> tomorrow on Monday by the 2.19 train (due at Corsham at 24 2.45) for the purpose of trying on his Livery – as Oaksford is liable to make a mis-fit on these occasions. If you have any message, he can bring it when he returns at 5.40 Corsham train.

Please to let the Coachman have the order which I enclose.

Charles <4> wishes me to say that he will probably be with you on Tuesday, as I wrote you yesterday. –

It is very mild here again today.

Your affectionate
Constance.

We did not read the “Scene in a Church, & Duchess of Northumberland fainting” Do you remember in which day’s Times <5> you saw it?

Notes:

1. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.

2. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.

3. A temporary servant.

4. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.

5. The Sunday service at Irongate Cathedral at Albery, near Guildford, was disrupted by a Captain Symes, wishing to deliver a message from God and drawing first a sword and then a revolver when asked not to. "Extraordinary Scene in a Church’, Daily News (London), 20 January 1875. See Doc. No: 04044.