Melbury <1>
Sunday 30th November 1823
This is the first visit I have made here these 9 years, the party here consist of Ld I – Ld Auckland Ld Corry Frankland, Col Kelly & Mrs Campbell <2> I expect William <3> will come tomorrow, and on Wednesday we all move to Moreton <4> – I saw Giles <5> in Town, he breakfasted with me, he walks lame, & is greatly altered so that you would perhaps hardly know him – In voice & manner however he is just the same as ever – Mrs Campbell complains you never write to her, she thinks you are angry with her about something; pray write to her, and put an end to such misunderstanding – Miss Elborough <6> was very glad to see me, she is not in the least altered; Caroline’s <7> letter pleased her very much; why does not Horatia <8> write to her also –
Penrice <9>
Decr – 12th
We had a very agreeable party at Moreton; Ld Ilchester, Ld Malmesbury Sir G. and Lady Bingham, my aunt Susan, <10> &c. She also complains of your not writing & seems seriously vexed about it – She was in excellent spirits, not the least fatigued by long dinners &c. – Sir G Bingham is a very agreeable man he is a friend of Sir Hudson Lowe's whom he exculpates with considerable success. William joined us at Moreton, and we travelled to Penrice together – We dined at Stinsford on our way; – Jourdan is getting very old
Your affte Son
Henry Talbot
Lady Feilding
Dame Angloise <11>
Genes [sic]
Italie
Notes:
1. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
2. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858); George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland (1784–1849), Governor General of India; Armar Lowry-Corry (1801-1845), Viscount Corry until 1841, then 3rd Earl Belmore; Sir Robert Frankland-Russell, 7th Baronet Russell of Thirkleby (1784-1849); Col Kelly is probably one of the several brothers of Alicia Campbell, née Kelly, ‘Tam’ (1768–1829).
3. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
4. Moreton, Dorset: home of the Frampton family.
5. Giles Digby Robert Fox Strangways (1798–1827).
6. Probably Elbelle, governess. [See Doc. No: 00751].
7. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
8. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
9. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
10. James Edward, 2nd Earl Malmesbury (1778–1841); Maj Gen Sir George Ridout Bingham (1777-1833) and Lady Emma Septima, née Pleydell (d. 1873); Sir Hudson Lowe (1769-1810), Governor of St Helena who was heavily criticised for mistreatment of Napoleon; Susannah Sarah Louisa O’Brien, née Strangways (1743–1827), WHFT’s great aunt.
11. English lady.