Sackville Street <1>
Sunday July 2nd
½ past 4 –
My dear Henry
Though you did not desire me particularly to write, I thought you would most likely expect to hear from one or other of us – & as there was some wedding cake, with a letter, a note & a book for you, which arrived just after your departure, I thought the best plan would be to make a parcel of them altogether, & send by a coach tonight – I am sorry to say he <2> is just the same – last night they thought the swelling diminished in a slight degree – but today they think it in the same state – They all agree he is no worse, but yet he does not get any better – I always forgot to beg you would thank Constance <3> for a very nice letter I got from her just before I left Mt E– <4> & which I was prevented answering by my sudden journey. – Do not expect to hear tomorrow, as I shall not write if he remains in the same state –
Yrs ever affly
Caroline
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
2. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
4. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.