Sackville Street <1>
Thursday 13th
Carissimo fratello <2>
How very lucky you were in having such a good view of the sailing match, & still more lucky Kit <3> to win it. I should like to have been there of all things. There has been nothing half so entertaining in London since you went away, therefore you have lost nothing by going – We had a large party at the Haymarket <4> the other evening, consisting of Ly Glengall & Emily Butler, <5> Miss Mitchell, Ld & Lady Fitzroy Somerset, <6> Princess Esterhazy, <7> Mr De Mornay, Captn Edwards, Mr Law, &c, &c, &c – The Hypocrite was admirably acted by Farren. <8> That is the only gay thing we have been to. We are invited to a ball at Ld Hertford’s <9> in the Regent’s Park tomorrow, & I believe we set off the day after. I have not time for more as we are going to hear the band at the barracks in High Park, & Giovannina <10> is calling one at every minute to pack up; so addio, mon cher Henri, <11> pray write again soon
& believe me your
affectionate sister
Caroline –
I suppose you will be at Laycock as soon as this letterEnvelope:
London Augt thirteen 1829Hy Fox Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Aukland
Notes:
1. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT
2. Dearest brother.
3. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
4. Haymarket, a street running parallel to Regent’s Street up to Coventry Street, London. Site of the Theatre Royal, opened in 1720.
5. Lady Glengall, mother of Lady Charlotte Butler, who was to marry Kit Talbot in December 1835, and probably her daughter Emily Butler.
6. Fitzroy James Henry Somerset, Lord Raglan (1788–1855), and his wife.
7. Princess Theresa Esterhazy, wife of Prince Esterhazy, Austrian Ambassador.
8. William Farren (1786–1861), actor.
9. Francis Charles Seymour-Ingram, 3rd Marquess of Hertford (1777–1842).
10. Housekeeper.
11. Goodbye, my dear Henry.