My dear Henry
Papa <1> is going on well, tho’ not always equally so, as he has ups & downs but the doctors say we must expect that & not be disheartened. Yesterday he was very restless & complained a good deal, but to-day again he is much quieter – just now he had some mince chicken which is a great step – The leg is diminishing but very slowly. Mr Kenrick <2> was here to-day & saw him. He told us Laycock Abbey was looking beautiful yesterday & made us long to see all the flowers, but had not seem Ela & Rosamond <3> & so could not report how they looked – Give them & Constance <4> my love
Yr affte Sister
Horatia
Notes:
1. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
2. Dr George Cranmer Kenrick, surgeon living at The Grove, Melksham.
3. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter and Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.