Sepr 29th
My dear Henry
I am quite sconfortabile <1> that you do not write to any of us, particularly as your parting words were that you would write first selon toutes les régles, <2> as the goer having always more to say than the left is a received opinion.
The Gents continue to sing like Nightingales, none of the rest of our party have arrived as yet, from one cause or another, but October is to be a full Month in the precincts of the Abbey. The Gallery begins to look delightful, & turns out to be superexcellent for Music. Mr F. <3> begins the Month of October by shooting pheasants with Kerry <4> at Bowood. <5> Lord L <6> – is there for 2 or 3 days –
Lord V <7> – was to have been here to day, but has the gout!!!!
Pray Pray write
Yrs
E F
What have you been about?
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Post Office
Derby
Skipton <8>
Yorkshire
Notes:
1. Uneasy.
2. In accordance with all the rules.
3. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
4. William Thomas Fitzmaurice, Earl of Kerry (1811–1836), MP.
5. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne
6. Probably Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), MP, WHFT’s uncle.
7. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
8. Readdressed in another hand.