[The letter is in the BL and its envelope is in the NMeM.]
My dear Henry
I suppose it is hardly worth while to write to-day – but mayhap you may get it before you set off. I am very glad you are coming to-morrow & that your presence is no longer required at Laycock. I think there seems to be a n general opinion that the state of things is getting better.
The general rising is to be Monday the 6th –
It is dark almost as soon as one gets up now – it is really like living under ground – Poor Kit <1> is on the Committee for Boroughbridge – and consequently obliged to be up at eight every morning & sit there for 6 hours.
They had a false alarm at Moreton <2> the other night – at about ten oclock the winding of a horn was heard, which is the signal for assembling in case of attack. <3> There was instantly a scene of uproar & confusion, some flying to arms, & some lighting candles – Aunt Harriet <4> roused the sleeping garrison & Henry <5> buckled on his armour – till at last some one bethought himself of running out to see what it really was – when it turned out to be a boy driving home a team of horses – playing on the horn to beguile the weary way. – Aunt Louisa <6> is going to Bowood <7> Monday. She wanted to take Theresa & Caroline <8> with her but I believe Uncle Harry <9> would not consent.
Addio caro <10> I have no news to tell you –
Your affte sister
Horatia
Saturday
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
2. Moreton, Dorset: home of the Frampton family.
3. Lady Harriot Frampton, née Fox Strangways (1778 - 6 Aug 1844); dau of Henry Thomas Fox Strangways, 2nd Earl of Ilchester and Mary Theresa O'Grady; she married James Frampton (1769-1855) in 1799.
4. This refers to the Swing Riots of 1830. By the end of December 1830 nearly two thousand people had been arrested and were awaiting trial, of which nineteen people were executed. [See Doc. No: 02083, and Doc. No: 02088].
5. Henry Frampton (1804-1879).
6. 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.
7. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
8. Possibly Theresa Anna Maria Digby, née Fox Strangways (1814–1874), WHFT’s cousin and Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
9. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).
10. Goodbye dear.