Champs Elysées 26
Decr 10th 1842
My dear Henry
Did you ever get a long letter from Mlle Amélina <1> some time ago, about the Patent? <2> She explained in it how Something must be done before it was two years old, & other details; & is surprised you have never answered her – Perhaps the letter was lost – if so write at once & say so. At any write [sic] you may write to me & let me know what you are about, & how you all are at dear Laycock Abbey – I heard fm Horatia <3> from Came Melbury, <4> & should have written to her at Came, if she had told me the Post Town; – do you know it? I hope Mamma <5> will get the letter I wrote abt Valletort <6> – as she does not set out till 1st Jany we thought it better he shd come straight to us, if she could spare Wright <7> to bring him to the water’s edge, or across even, wh wd be still better – & David wd meet him – but what I am most anxious for is that he shd not be travelling on Xmas day – but either with me or at Melbury. – Ernest <8> is much better hitherto since he has been under the care of Dr Miller; <9> if the benefit only lasts! His right hand which has been stiffened for nearly 5 years in this position: [illustration] he can now straighten as much as this: [illustration] more even than I have drawn – his feet are also better – & on the whole he feels well. – Charlie <10> is very flourishing – but very unlettered jusqu’ici. <11> – There is going to be a great Bazaar for the Poles at the end of the year – at which I have promised to sell at Pss Czartoriska’s <12> stall. – Jane <13> is very much improved in walking since she has been at Paris; tho’ she still uses crutches to go up & down stairs – We have seen a good deal of her tho’ she lives a long way off in the Rue de Rivoli – & she has dined with us several times – I am so fond of her, & always was. – Her Daughter Lucy <14> is very pleasing & has actually attained the legal age for coming out – How time does fly! – Give my love to Constance & the little ones, <15> to whom Charlie likewise sends his – & do write something to Amandier, because she feels perplexed, & knows not what to do –
Yrs very affly
Caroline
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
2. [See Doc. No: 04642].
3. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
4. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
5. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
6. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
7. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.
8. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
9. Professor William Allen Miller (b. 1817), physician & chemist.
10. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
11. Still.
12. Princess Anna Zofia Sapieha (1799–1864), wife of Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski of Poland.
13. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).
14. Lucy Mary Nicholl (1824-1876), of Merthyr Mawr.
15. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife; Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1st daughter; Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), 'Rose'; 'Monie'; artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter; died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock; Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3rd daughter; Charles Henry Talbot, (2 Feb 1842 - 26 Dec 1916), 'Charlie'; 'Tally'; antiquary & WHFT's only son.