London
Friday
March 16th
My dear Henry
It is now settled we are to go Tuesday – I hope you are not ennuyé tout seul <1> but after all it was your own choice going there before us – We have had very bad weather since you went – I hope it was more propitious at Laycock. We have been very quiet this week last night we drank tea with Aunt Matilda. <2> She complains that your visits to her are like angels visits few & far between. Mama <3> sends you today’s Times <4> that you may see about the comet that is to come & knock us next year with a tail 40 millions of leagues long!
Kit <5> only came back from hunting in the Vale of Aylesbury last Wednesday late at night not knowing the least what was going on in the House, & the first words he heard were Merthyr Tydvil [sic] – The division took place a few minutes afterwards, so he was just in time & the majority was only 4 or 5 so it was most lucky. He set off again this morning at 6 o’clock on another hunting expedition with Lord Clanrickarde <6> & 4 others in a landau & 4.
Caroline <7> was rather better yesterday I believe they are to go & stay with Lord Mt E. <8> at Twickenham for a fortnight at Easter. –
Addio caro fratello <9> –
yrs affte
Horatia
[envelope:]
W. H. F. Talbot Esqr
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Bored all on your own.
2. Matilda Feilding (1775-1849), WHFT's 'aunt' - sister of Charles Feilding, his stepfather.
3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
4. The Times (London).
5. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
6. Misspelling for Ulick John De Burgh, Marquis of Clanricarde (b. 1802).
7. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
8. Richard Edgcumbe, 2nd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1764–1839).
9. Goodbye dear brother.