Merthyrmawr <1>
Bridgend
Febry 6th 1842
My dear Henry
I cannot resist the pleasure of sending my warmest congratulations on the birth of your boy. <2> I hope Mrs Talbot <3> is going on well & that neither you or [sic] she may have any drawback to your satisfaction, pray write me word soon how she is & also a full description of the Babe – If my Aunt <4> is with you pray tell her that I hope she will come here either in going to or leaving Margam <5> she will receive a very true welcome & I will try to make her comfortable altho’ from my present crippled state I cannot do all I would. I hope your next visit to our County will not be while we are away next summer it would be very nice if you would bring all your children <6> here to see their cousins.
Believe me yours affly
Jane H. Nicholl
I wish you would send me some of your late performances.<7> I saw some very exquisite ones
Notes:
1. Merthyr Mawr, Glamorgan, on River Ogwr.
2. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
4. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
5. Margam Park, Glamorgan: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
6. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1st daughter; Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), 'Rose'; 'Monie'; artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter; died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock; Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3rd daughter.
7. WHFT was rapidly gaining confidence in his photography and had started to produce well accomplished and sophisticated images with regularity.