Lacock Abbey
Septr 3d
Dearest Henry
I have received your mournful tidings <1> with mingled feelings of sorrow & thankfulness that it is all over Too well do I know what it is to mourn for a beloved object! & while I deeply sympathise in their heavy affliction I pray to the Almighty to strengthen & support them under it
Of course I shall not write to any of them at present. but pray give them my affectionate love, whenever you think they will like to be reminded of me I know that you will now be overwhelmed with business dear Henry & therefore I cannot expect that you will have much time to write to me still for the present I shall feel very envious about you all so hope you will not quite keep silence unless all goes on tolerably well Your accounts of your dear Mother <2> have hitherto been almost better than I had ventured to expect How severe will be your own trials dear Henry & in having to support & console them & at the same time get through all the business which will devolve upon you
I wrote to you yesterday <3> thinking you might begin to be anxious about us if you heard nothing
It is so exceedingly chilly here that I was obliged to have recourse to a fire this morning to warm myself & I found it had the happy effect of enlivening cheering as well as cheering warming me Rose <4> & I have been very near quarrelling on two or three occasions I scarcely know whether to attribute it to mental anxiety, chilliness of the weather, or what would be strangest of all, a fancy on her part to become tired of me However I hope we shall agree better again soon especially as she is quite well
Your affectionate
Constance
H.F. Talbot Esqr
31. Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Death of Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780 2 Sep 1837), Royal Navy; WHFTs step-father.
2. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, nιe Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (17731846), WHFTs mother.
4. Rosamond Constance Monie Talbot (18371906), artist & WHFTs 2nd daughter.