Friday 18th August
My dear Henry
Papa <1> had a pretty good night & they think he is a little better – Mr Bowling <2> slept here last night & will again to-night which is a great comfort as Papa likes him very much & Mr Cutler <3> can only be here for such a short time in the day – We went yesterday on a voyage of discovery in the neighbourhood of Kingston, on the Guildford road, but found no house at all answering to your description, as those we saw to let were horrid little things, which you would not look at for a moment – If you feel any inclination for these parts, I dare say we could easily enquire & find out a great many to be had – which we could go & look at but you must specify the sort of size &c you want – to guide us in our researches –
Lord V. <4> is returned from his electioneering, & Caroline <5> is gone to town to-day, but hopes to return here to-morrow or next day. Mama <6> hopes you are not staying on at Laycock for on our account, as if she wishes to have you a few hours of steam would bring you in no time from any part of Glamorgan to Bristol – Theresa <7> arrived in town Monday & went to Melbury <8> directly – Uncle Harry & Ste <9> were to be there Wednesday after the funeral which was to take place at Farley.
Tell us what you are doing. Thank Constance <10> for both her letters
Yr affte sister
Horatia
W. Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
2. Mr Bowling, physician.
3. Mr Cutler, Charles Feilding’s physician.
4. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
5. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
6. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
7. Theresa Anna Maria Digby, née Fox Strangways (1814–1874), WHFT’s cousin; On 20 June 1837, she married Edward St. Vincent Digby, 9th Baron Digby of Geashill (1809 –1889).
8. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
9. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858) and his son Stephen Fox Strangways (1817–1848).
10. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.