Kyleakin
Isle of Skye
Tuesday Septr 3rd
My dear Henry
Here we are really in the Ultima Thule <1> & feel quite cut off from civilized Europe – The inn is surprisingly good for such a remote spot & we have fared very well with the help of the provisions Mrs Roberts’s hospitably pressed on us. We left that peaceful retreat [illegible] this morning – having spent nearly 3 weeks there most pleasant & snugly – & came down Loch Duich & across here in a sort of open fishing boat luckily the wind favoured us & the day turned out beautiful – such a very rare occurrence that we hailed the appearance of the sun with delight. The air here is very fresh & bracing, in proof of wh I walked 6 miles before dinner & since have been scrambling up the rocks to see the glowing sunset on the sea & fine mountains. Tomorrow we are to be picked up by the Marquis of Stafford <2> alas at ½ past 5 in the morning! (having left Stornaway at 1!) They have the most unearthly hours for starting in Scotland – I hope you found Aunt Mary <3> flourishing if still at Lanelay <4> pray give her & Mary <5> my best love. I hope you will be at Barrow some time next week when we hope to get there – I have written to Constance <6> & expect an answer at Ponsonby Hall Whitehaven where we intend to arrive Friday. I am so glad to hear Aunt L. <7> is better & going to Abbotsbury.
Addio I must go to bed or never shall be up in time
Yr aff sister
Horatia
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lanelay
Cardiff
Notes:
1. The last place on earth, the end of the world.
2. George Granville Leveson-Gower, Marquis of Stafford.
3. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.
4. Llanely, or Lanely, Glamorganshire: home of Lady Mary Cole and Mary Thereza Talbot.
5. Probably Mary Thereza Talbot (1795–1861), WHFT’s cousin.
6. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
7. Louisa Emma Petty Fitzmaurice, née Fox Strangways, Marchioness of Lansdowne (1785-1851), wife of Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne; Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1837-1838; WHFT's aunt.
8. Emily Georgina Hardy.
9. William Polet Brown Chatteris (b. 1810).
10. Henry Montagu, 6th Baron Rokeby (1798–1883).