Paris
6 Mars
My Dear Henry
I leave this tomorrow with Valletort <1> & suite - pray do me the kindness to signify in Sackville Street <2> that they may expect me on the 11th or 12th because having had the Influenza I shall travel leisurely & for change of air. Amandier <3> is very anxious I should see you before you see M. de Bassano <4> &c &c all which I believe she wrote to you yesterday. She is in a state of agitation & most anxious you should sign nothing in London because she thinks English Lawyers are not acquainted with French Law & subterfuges. The desire they expressed that you should sign in London makes her think you ought not. If you are at Laycock pray desire Nicole <5> to write to London to signify to Sara <6> as above. Poor Amandier a eu la fievre toute la Nuit & says qu'elle mourra de Calotype! <7> because she is so afraid of your being taken in, il y a si peu de bonne foi en France dès qu'il s'agit d'argent <8> -
God bless you
Dearest
I don't like the thoughts of my journey at all
Henry Fox Talbot Esq
31 Sackville Street
London
to be forwarded
Notes:
1. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797-1861), WHFT's brother-in-law.
2. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
3. Amélina Petit De Billier, 'Mamie', 'Amandier' (1798-1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
4. Hugues Antoine Joseph Eugène Maret, Marquis de Bassano (1806-1889), photographic entrepreneur, Paris.
5. Nicolaas Henneman (1813-1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT's valet, then assistant; photographer.
6. Servant.
7. Has had the fever all night and says that she will die of the Calotype!
8. There is so little good faith in France when it's a question of money.