My dear Henry,
Though you may have heard it from other quarters I wish to spare your mother <1> & indeed all of you the pain of hearing of poor Kerry’s <2> death in the newspapers – I believe it was not an event for which Louisa <3> was unprepared her tone from the moment Lisbon was given up, convinced me so – but heavy as it is upon her I dread its effects on his sister <4> more, who was comparatively I think unprepared – Harry <5> comes to town to night, I can give no further account at present
Yr Affte
W F Strangways
[envelope]
Henry F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Royal Hotel
Mall
Clifton
Notes:
1. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
2. William Thomas, Earl of Kerry (born 1811) died 21 August 1836. Elder son of the 3rd marquess of Lansdowne.
3. 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.
4. Lady Louisa Petty-Fitzmaurice, daughter of the 3rd marquess of Lansdowne.
5. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).