Rome
Monday 3rd Feby
My dear Henry
I was very glad to get your letter of the 18th the first I have had since leaving England! How very quick of mine, to reach Laycock in 8 days it is encouragement to write by the via di Mare particularly as the roads are not over-safe - The English mail was stopped Saturday, but I don't know whether by accident or robbers - Mme Potemkin who is a great friend of ours had a fourgon <1> coming from Naples with her furs, laces & other valuables, under the auspices of a Russian courier bearing dispatches - however within 2 miles of Pata[?] S. Giovanni it was pillaged by robbers (supposed to be in league with the postboy & while the courier was fast asleep) & all the imperials &c cut off. She says £1500 would not cover the loss, & she has very little hopes of ever seeing them again tho' the police is by way of searching for the thieves. A still more extraordinary case happened at Forlimpopoli - where the people were assembled en masse at the theatre, & when the curtain drew up instead of the corps dramatique there appeared on the stage a band of brigands with a certain Papatore (a famous character in those parts) at their head, who informed the public that they were his prisoners - all the doors being locked & the gendarmes disarmed, & invited them to give up their watches, chains, earrings & other articles of value - during wh operation he amused them with an account of his life & adventures, to pass the time! He then took the Mayor to his house & made him give up his money &c & after some other visits of the same kind they departed leaving the inhabitants to see the end of the play! This is a town of 4000 souls, & about 3 miles fm Cesena & 5 fm Forli, in both of wh there is a strong German garrison - but it seems the Pontifical Govt quarrels with them about the management of the police so that the poor Italians, who pay for the foreign troops do not even get protection from robbers. I will do yr commission for Talbotypes - Flacheron<2> has got some beauties, on a larger scale than before (I believe they cost 2 scudi) one of the Forum I bought the other day is excellent - but he has not many at present & means to make more when the season advan[ces.] <3> I don't think our house, tho' very comfortable wd be a picturesque subject - if he could take the view fm it, that might be worth having. The month of Jany was so fine nobody remembers one like it - & the tea roses, camelias & narcissus are flourishing in the gardens - Now it is dull & a scirocco blowing wh I hope will not last as it is [dis]tressing <4> to mind & body. Jane <5> told me of the glimpse of you she had at Lanelay <6> - she hopes to make good use of yr book when the advancing spring incites to botanize - Mr N. <7> has given up the idea of rushing to his post in H. of Commons, to the great relief of his family - He is much happier here, heading immense riding parties into the Campagna - I am grieved to hear of dear Aunt L. <8> being so dim - Have you been to see her lately? - Give my love to Constance <9> &c I am sorry you think Ashelworth<10> only a moderate school, but perhaps you expect too much improvement at Charles <11> tender [age] <12> & considering he has only been there 1 year. Addio - Pray <12> do not be so long again without writing to
yr aff Sister
Horatia
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
via di Mare
Inghilterra
Notes:
1. Waggon.
2. Count Frédéric A. Flachéron (1813-1883), French engraver and photographer. In the period of 1848-1853 he took calotype photographs on a large scale. Based at the Caffe Greco in Rome, he was part of a circle of active art photographers.
3. Written off the edge of page.
4. Page torn out.
5. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796-1874).
6. Llanely, or Lanely, Glamorganshire: home of Lady Mary Cole and Mary Thereza Talbot.
7. Dr John Nicholl (1797-1853), MP.
8. 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. She was to die two months later.
9. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811-1880), WHFT's wife.
10. At a town in Gloucester, now known as Ashleworth.11. Charles Henry Talbot (1842-1916), antiquary & WHFT's only son.
12. Page torn out.
12. Page torn out.