London
Tuesday
My dear Henry
We tried your experiments of sympathetic ink by the fire – the black one came out directly very black & has remained ever since. The blue appeared by degrees & got very bright it has since nearly vanished but not entirely. How came you to discover it? Mr Twopenny <1> has just sent me the impression of a beautiful head of Omphale <2> which he shewed us at Laycock & two other curious old seals for the museum which I will take with me & shew you. I liked the party at Lansdowne House <3> better than the last – Lord V. <4> was in the House, so Car. <5> went with us, in her new pink sattin gown, & a black velvet hat & feathers, which was universally admired –
Amandier <6> set off this morning with Melle de Longchamp. <7> – Mama <8> got a letter for her from Mr Tellier, the Secretaire d’Ambassade <9> who sings so well, to the Directeur des Douanes <10> at Calais, which will I hope be of great use to her.
Papa’s <11> foot is a very little better to day – I suppose we shall be able to go Saturday – I begin to sigh for fresh air.
Yrs affte
Horatia
[envelope:]
Henry Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. William Twopeny (1797-1873), barrister, antiquary & accomplished amateur artist, London.
2. Lansdowne House, London: home of the Marquis of Lansdowne, WHFT's uncle and cousins.
3. Queen of Lydia, whom Hercules served as a slave.
4. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
5. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
6. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
7. See Doc. No: 02320.
8. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
9. Secretary at the Embassy.
10. Director of Customs.
11. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
12. Cornelius Fitzsimmons, Scottish gardener at Lacock Abbey.
13. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
14. Probably Dorothée, Duchess of Dino (1793–1862).