Laycock Abbey
Septr 28th 1831
My dear Henry
We have been expecting every day a letter from you as you promised to write first, but none has arrived. Lady Ilchester & Theresa <1> paid us a visit of one night only, short & sweet. They were very sorry to have missed you. Lady I. admired the gallery extremely; she went all over the grounds & took particular notice of our gardens, in which she found several things of Uncle William’s; <2> the Silene reticulata pleased her most & she carried off some to Kilmington. The Gents <3> have been with us several days – they are very goodnatured & sing beautifully all the evening – We are what Aunt Harriot <4> would call a very bad party – seven women & one man – However an occasional diversion has been created by Kerry & Mr Moore. <5> – Pray write soon & let us hear how you have enjoyed your tour, & where you have spent this lovely weather. The sun has been so powerful this year that my crop of Indian corn is almost ripe –
Addio caro fratello, tua sorella <6>
Affezionatessima
Carolina
Amandier is better since her séjour here. Elle me charge de mille complimens. <7>Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Post-Office
Derby
Notes:
1. Juliana Maria Strangways, née Digby (d. 1842), and Theresa Anna Maria Digby, née Fox Strangways (1814–1874), WHFT’s cousin.
2. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
3. See Doc. No: 02136.
4. Lady Harriet Frampton, née Fox Strangways (d. 1844) .
5. William Thomas Fitzmaurice, Earl of Kerry (1811–1836), MP, and Thomas Moore (1780–1852), Irish poet.
6. Good bye dear brother, your sister.
7. She bids me send many compliments.