Richmond
Wednesday August 23^rd

My dear Henry

Papa ^<1> has not been so well today as yesterday, that is to say much weaker, owing to a fresh discharge in the foot – The main thing as you know is to keep up his strength, but it is very difficult to make him take a sufficient quantity of nourishment for that – Mamma ^<2> wishes you not to put off your journey so long as the 3^rd Sept^r but, without coming express or travelling all night, to come here as soon as you conveniently can – she is very low today – it is an immense comfort having M^r Bowling in the house, & he is so kind in his manner & so attentive – Since M^r Cutler ^<3> has been here today, he has been very quiet & sleeping a good deal –

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

Since writing the above, Mamma desires me to say that upon reflection you need not hurry yourself so much as the former part of my letter might induce you to do – that in two or three days time would do – in short she begs you will not put yourself out by any extraordinary haste, as it was not that she meant; but she did not like the thoughts of your not coming for so long – You shall hear again – most likely tomorrow –

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts

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Notes:

1. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.

2. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.

3. Charles Feilding’s doctor.