Lacock Abbey
Thursday June 22
My dear Henry
You will perhaps be expecting to hear from me by this time – & to know that all goes on well with us – Your silence this morning I interpret favourably – & such will be my conclusion whenever I do not hear from you – I hope however you will write as frequently as you possibly can to relieve my anxiety – for my thoughts are ever with you & with dear Lady Elisabeth <1> & Horatia. <2> Oh how much I have felt for them! – You may imagine what a melancholy day I passed on Monday after reading those two letters which came to urge your immediate departure. – The first (Malle Amélina’s) <3> was put into my hands between five & six o’clock in the morning & was sufficient to banish every ray of hope from my mind. – the other arrived by the post – How thankful I was to have my fears relieved by your’s the next morning & again yesterday! – All our neighbours have been very anxious in their enquiries. – Yesterday I had a visit from Mr Paley <4> & also from Mrs & Miss Awdry who came in about one minute afterwards – After lamenting your absence, I was obliged to do the honours of the garden to them, not omitting your favourite plants in the Greenhouse. – Mr Paley seemed almost as much pleased as the Ladies were – & all joined in extolling the beauty of our Lupins – The children also came in for their share of attention – Afterwards I had Miss Emily Ford <5> whom I never saw before, & who declared herself much pleased to have at last made my acquaintance.
You cannot think how pleasant the weather has been here the last few days – & the Roses & other flowers are coming on so fast it is quite charming to see them. – I saw all the Cape Bulbs planted on [illegible] – & I intend sowing some of the Seeds to day, I mean those which you gave me on Sunday. – Do you approve of my giving Ela’s <6> tame Rabbits to Mrs Sloane of the Red Lion? <7> – she has expressed a wish to have them. – In that case what shall I do with their dwelling for I understand that Mrs Sloane has plenty of Chicken frames & therefore cannot want it. –
I have at last consented to have Baby <8> fed at night – we have tried it now three times & it seems to agree perfectly with her – No child can thrive better than she does now – I am only rather afraid that she will grow too fat. – Ela has cut one of her Eye teeth – with one restless night – but she does not appear tormented, though still looking a little pale –
I hope you will find time to call on my Sisters <9> some day & see how they are prospering – I suppose they will be flitting some time next week –
Ever dear Henry Your affecte
Constance
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
31. Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
2. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
3. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
4. Rev James Paley (1790–1863), Vicar at Lacock.
5. Miss Emily Ford of Bath.
6. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
7. The Red Lion Inn, Lacock.
8. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
9. Laura Mundy (1805– 1 September 1842); Emily Mundy (1807– 5 November 1839); Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).; WHFT’s sisters-in-law.
10. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.