Laycock Abbey
Friday
January 20th
My dear Henry
I heard yesterday from Caroline <1> she is very much pleased with her séjour <2> at Twickenham & likes her beupère <3> very much. He has given her a beautiful pearl & emerald bracelet & Lady Brownlow <4> a necklace & earrings of large turquoises set in gold. Bello! <5> They were to settle in town yesterday. Mama <6> has spent the morning shopping with your constituents, & is just returned laden with goods. We dined yesterday at Bowood, <7> there was nobody but Miss Fox. <8> Write us word what you are about & where we are to direct. I hope you remembered to give my note faithfully to Miss Seymer.<9>
Think of there being primroses in flower, to-day in the shrubbery! such is the extraordinary mildness of the weather as the sun has it. Since I am reduced to this for lack of news I had better conclude this epistle which I only wrote to assure you that we are in perfect health & tolerable spirits & that
I in particular am your very affte sister
Horatia
Notes:
1. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
2. Stay.
3. Father-in-law. Richard Edgcumbe, 2nd Earl of Mount Edgcumbe (1764–1839).
4. Lady Brownlow, wife John Cust, 1st Earl Brownlow (1779–1853).
5. Beautiful.
6. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
7. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
8. Lady Mary Elizabeth Fox (1806-1891).
9. Either Louisa Mary or Grace Emma, daughters of Lady Harriet Ker Seymer, née Beckford (1779-1853), wife of Henry Ker Seymer (1782-1834), JP, MP & Sheriff of Dorset.