Thursday
My dear Henry
After being considerably better yesterday Mr F. <1> was seized with a spasm at 5 o’clock this Morning which Mr Cutler <2> succeeded in removing. – he thinks it was caused by rhumatism [sic] taking hold of the muscle of the Diaphragm. This tho’ not a vital part is near one, & I cannot but be very uneasy. He is in no pain now, but great malaise from fever. You had better not go further from us till you hear again. I will write again tomorrow
yrs
E F
Horatia <3> was to have set off tomorrow Morning with Louisa Fitzmaurice <4> to the wedding <5> at Melbury, <6> but She seems so uncomfortable at the thoughts of leaving her father that this scheme is given up. Somebody shall certainly write to you tomorrow
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
2. See Doc. No: 03529.
3. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
4. Louisa Howard, née Fitzmaurice (d. 1906), daughter of Louisa Emma Petty Fitzmaurice, née Fox Strangways, Marchioness of Lansdowne (1785 - 10 Apr 1851), wife of Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1837-1838; WHFT's aunt.
5. The wedding of Theresa Anna Maria Digby, née Fox Strangways (1814–1874), WHFT’s cousin; On 20 June 1837, she married Edward St. Vincent Digby, 9th Baron Digby of Geashill (1809 –1889). [See Doc. No: 03519].
6. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.