Penrice, <1>
July 15th 1830
Dear Henry
The last letter I write from dear Penrice shall be to you to thank you for your kind present of Legends <2> which I have not had time yet to peruse. on Saturday we go to the isle of Wight but as Kit <3> is now going to offer himself for the representation of this County neither he or his yacht will be there which is a great take off – you may suppose I have a good deal to do as Sir Christopher <4> gives up his residence here as well as his seat in parliament & we have not yet fixed on our future abode tho’ probably we shall often return into Glamorganshire to visit dear Kit – the Garden never was fuller of flowers but they are not very uncommon kinds. this time of year the vegetable world is generally in beauty without any effort on the part of the gardener – I have hardly a moment to spare only to tell you that
I am your affe Aunt
Mary Lucy Cole
Isabella <5> was here when your present arrived with which she was delighted. She went home this morning having staid with us till the last moment.Swansea July sixteen 1830 Chrishr Cole <6>
Henry Talbot Esqre
31 Sackville Street
London
Lacock Abbey <7>
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
2. WHFT, Legendary Tales, in Verse and Prose (London: James Ridgway, 1830).
3. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
4. Sir Christopher Cole (1770–1836), Captain, MP & naval officer.
5. Isabella Catherine Franklen, née Talbot (1804–1874).
6. Address panel written in his hand.
7. Readdressed in another hand.