Margam <1>
Novbr 23d
My dear Henry
It was very lucky I had heard of Carolines <2> intended marriage before I received your note; or you would have had to answer for my death from curiosity to know who the sposo was to be – pray give my love to her & congratulations although those will come better some time hence – I sincerely wish she may be as happy a wife as I am, & I could not wish her greater happiness if I were to think till doom’s day – pray let me know when it is to be & all about it –
I am a great invalid I am sorry to say & almost certainly confined to the sofa, please God there will be another little cousin for you in the Spring – My boy thrives apace & is very lively, does it not seem funny that I should have a son?
We are here on a visit to Kit, <3> he seems in famous spirits & is looking very well indeed – Give my love to all & believe me dear Henry your very affect coz
Isabella Franklen
P.S. N. B.
Notes:
1. Margam Park, Glamorgan: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
2. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister married Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
3. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.