Lowther Castle <1>
11th Septr
My Dear Henry
I was very glad indeed to receive this morning your letter <2> from Llangollen as I had begun to be quite uneasy, knowing you knew where to direct to us, though we did not to you. Horatia <3> despatched one to you a week ago or more, directed to Sackville Street, <4> thinking you would have written to Mary Horne <5> to forward your letter, which probably you omitted to do. Yours from Llangollen has been four days en route, which for a cross post you seem to have had a very picturesque Tour but I regret you did not take Stockport Court in your way. That Mountain near Brecknock I remember sketching many years ago when I made a short tour in South Wales. I hope you will come as soon as you can, Horatia’s contained a Postscript from me with an invitation from Lord & Lady L. <6> who are most kind & warm in their wishes for your arrival in their Castle. There is a great deal to see here abouts, & we have had much amusement both in & out of the House not withstanding the bad weather. We stay till the 17th perhaps longer. But you might outstay us, if you liked it, while we pay some short visits in our way to Glasgow. We have had a very large & gay party Sunday for Doncaster races. Mr Brown <7> has been here all the time, & is very anxious [missing text] should arrive before he dep[missing text] to Cambridge. We like him [missing text] much. He was Tutor likewise to Lord Lowther. I fear he goes away on Monday. We have had many conversations together about you. a letter to day from McPhail <8> almost makes me long to be there, he gives such an account of the Dahlias &c but if one is to be absent a whole summer can lose less in a rainy season than any other. Make haste & come, but I have told you the exact state of the case that you may arrange your plans as you like yourself & not hurry or retard under false impressions –
God Bless You
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Post Office
Bangor
Referred Penrith Sept Eleventh
Kidderminster
Worcestershire
BANGOR
See other side
H F Talbot Esqr
Kidderminster
Worcestershire
Notes:
1. Lowther Castle, Cumbria. It was the family seat of the Earls of Lonsdale.
2. See Doc. No: 01854.
3. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
4. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
5. See Doc. No: 03645.
6. Probably William Lowther, 2nd Viscount Lowther, and later Earl of Lonsdale (1757–1844), and his wife Augusta Fane.
7. See Doc. No: 01852.
8. John Mcphail, Lacock Abbey gardener.