Lacock Abbey
Sunday Decr 3d
My dear Henry
Your Mothers <1> cold is better today and she has less fever – Mr Kenrick <2> says she will be well in a few days – Horatia <3> & I feared at first that it was going to be a rheumatic fever, but now we feel satisfied that [illegible deletion] it is nothing of that kind. – I have not seen her these two days – for she has not only remained in her own room but also kept her bed – She is sitting up today, but is still ordered to remain quiet. – Her throat is painful & very much swelled – to relieve this, Mr Kenrick has desired her to inhale the Steam of hot water, or vinegar-water. – I am so glad that Horatia was not overpersuaded to go to Abbotsbury, <4> for her Mother would have missed her more than ever during this bad cold – I am much pleased to hear that there is still a chance of our having the Estcourts <5> at Bowden Hill <6> – it is very kind of them to ask us as often as they do to visit them at New Park – Will you do a commission for Horatia & me which has just occurred to us? – It is to purchase four pair of black spun silk stockings at Ludlam’s in Oxford St. H. cannot recollect the number; but it is a Hosier’s shop in Oxford St on the right hand side going from Regent St towards the Park – Horatia bought some there lately very nice at 5/0 the pair – but you cannot chuse wrong if you ask for good spun silk of a full ladies full sized Ladies stocking –
I regret to hear of your unpleasant adventure at the dinner among the Savans. <7> – I hope you will feel no bad effect from it. –
Your affectionate
Constance
Mrs Kenrick tells me that she will be at home all this week & glad to see me any day that I can go – she has invited the Children <8> to dine with her at one o’clock. This is exactly what I wished –
The post today was about three hours later than usual. – it is rumoured that a thick fog occasioned the delay – Our Chicks are quite well with the exception of Ela’s finger which Mr Kenrick says must be poulticed. – It is a long time since she pinched it & tiresome for her, little darling –
Monday – After writing the above yesterday I learned that your Mother had herself written to you, & therefore I res[erve]d <9> mine for today’s post, that I might give you a further account of her – She is much better today & has been sitting with us in the Library for several hours She has eaten mutton chops & wine & water & seems renovated. – The children have been in the room & did not seem to fatigue her – this is being as much better as possible – She desires me to ask you to speak to Mr Higgs, 63 Davies Street, & learn from him what he has done about letting her Stables – She wants to know while you are in Town –
Last night I read the whole of Ld J. Russel’s <10> speech about the Irish poor Laws– Horatia has a little cold & pain in her face – owing perhaps to the foggy weather –
Yr affectionate –
H. F. Talbot Esqre
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
2. Dr George Cranmer Kenrick, surgeon living at The Grove, Melksham.
3. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
4. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.
5. Thomas Henry Sutton Sotheron Bucknall Estcourt (1801–1876), MP; and his wife, Lucy Sarah (d. 1870), daughter of Admiral Frank Sotheran.
6. Bowden Hill, Wiltshire, 1 mi SE of Lacock.
7. Letter not located.
8. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter, and Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
9. Text torn under seal.
10. Lord John Russell (1792–1878), whig MP and statesman, Prime Minister from 1846 to 1852 and again from 1865 to 1866.