Lacock Abbey
Thursday Oct 10th
My dear Henry
I am thinking that you will perhaps like to receive a letter from us at Edinburgh of a later date than the one which is already there – though I cannot profess to have any news to send you today – I have not heard again from Carclew <1> & do not know what day they are to be back at Mount Edgcumbe <2> – From Harriot <3> I have had several of the very kindest warmhearted letters – indeed I have kept up an active correspondence with her ever since my visit – We discovered much to say that had been left unsaid owing to my hurried departure. – She now turns to me with more sisterly affection than she ever did before & I feel how much I should gain by more frequently enjoying her society – & I must shew you her letters when you return – I wrote to Melrose on Monday <4> – the day I received yours from Berwick <5> – and I now want to hear most of your health & whether you have followed my advice about eating. – I must condole with you on the gale yesterday accompanied by almost incessant rain – and today has been scarcely any better here – but as there were thunder storms today which are partial I hope they may not have visited Scotland – Every evening my thoughts are with you hovering over Melrose Edinburgh &c – for I am reading in my Scottish History of the events in the beginning of George 1st’s reign, <6> when the standard of James 8th was raised – & the chief operations of the insurrectionary forces under the Earl of Mar were carried on in your environs – All is well with us – Ela <7> rather languid, Rosamond <8> rather excited, Matilda <9> rather troublesome – slight effects these of the Hooping Cough – Charles <10> is getting well and none of them have caught cold which is the great thing –
Do tell me whether your journey has begun to do you good – I am so anxious it should independently of the Talbotypes and when shall you reach our Uncle John’s Paradise? -<11>
Your affectionate
Constance
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Post Office
Edinburgh
Notes:
1. Carclew, Cornwall, 3 mi N of Penryn: seat of Sir Charles Lemon
2. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe
3. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
4. See Doc. No: 05095
5. See Doc. No: 05090
6. George Louis Hanover (1660–1727), who acceded to the throne in 1714.
7. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
8. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
9. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
10. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
11. John George Charles Fox Strangways (1803–1859), MP.