London
17th Novr
My Dear Henry
I opened my window when you left me, to see you as long as I could – and my eyes followed you till your carriage was lost in the fogs of Vigo Lane. While you were here the sight of you in good spirits, prevented the desolate feel I have now you are gone – & I regret not having said a thousand things & asked a thousand questions which a sort of weight on my mind hindered me doing. If I knew Constance <1> I would tell her that as you have ever been the best & tenderest of Sons you will be to her the best & tenderest of friends, & I would congratulate her on having won such a heart as yours. Many recollections of your infancy crowd upon my memory early traits of tenderness to me qui ne se sont jamais dementis depuis. <2> If you really have found a person who will understand the value of your mind, I must love her, because she will certainly not be a common character. I trust implicitly to your judgment, and feel sure she is all you say. Caroline <3> is beginning to recover the intensity of her surprize, and you may be sure that whoever makes you happy she will love. As it is generally considered of some consequence in the Eyes of the world the manner in which a lady is received by her husband’s family, I must say that you may depend on my Expressing myself in the most flattering manner of her in the world and saying all that you could wish when it comes to be known.
This puts me in mind to tell you that Franklin <4> was employed yesterday (when you missed him at the Hotel) in telling his surmises to Gwynne <5> who repeated them to me to day therefore if it is known sooner than you intended, you must put the saddle on the right horse. Journal für die reine und angewandte Matematik <6> has been left here to day, is it to be sent to you? or what done with it? Can I do anything for you in this time? If you write to William <7> he is at Florence, on his way home. The King & Lord Lansdowne <8> are to be your nephew’s <9> God fathers & Lady Suffield <10> Godmamma.
This is all the news I have for you
Notes:
1. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
2. Which have never been forgotten since.
3. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
4. Franklin, servant.
5. Housekeeper.
6. Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics.
7. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
8. William IV (1765–1837), King of England (1830–1837), and Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), MP, WHFT’s uncle.
9. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
10. Probably Emily, wife of Edward Harbord, 3rd Baron Suffield.