Lacock Abbey
June 6th
My dear Henry
Clifford <1> thinks that her best plan will be to go from here to Bath & place herself with a dress-makers for improvements – She prefers giving up all idea of a Nursery situation because she thinks her health is not sufficiently good, & she proposes offering herself as a Ladysmaid instead. She has a friend at Bath with whom she could lodge whilst she remains out of place, & she hopes that through the kindness of Miss Emily Ford <2> she may be able to obtain a situation bye & bye –
I am going to write myself to Miss E. Ford to beg she will so something for her if she can – In regard to the children & poor Baby <3> in particular she speaks most feelingly – & she begs I will allow her to remain a short time with the New Nurse <4> till the Baby becomes accustomed to see her – She says that at night in particular when Baby is restless & cries as she often does, she is quite certain that she would allow no stranger to touch her, & therefore I think that the plan she proposes, for herself & Mrs Groves to remain together for the week – is the only one that can be adopted. – & I also think it will be best for Mrs G. to come down with you on Friday as you propose, or to follow immediately afterwards – but I feel that I should not much like her to come before you –
Pray tell me whether the pony carriage or the Cart can be of use in meeting you on Friday – You can’t think how glad I shall be for you to come back again & take care of us all – & supply the deficiency of my attentions to my Sisters <5>, for I am growing sadly inattentive to them & engrossed with the Nursery affairs –
Your affte
Constance
H.F. Talbot Esqre
31. Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Lady’s maid and nurse.
2. Miss Emily Ford of Bath.
3. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter and the baby, Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
4. Mrs Groves. [See Doc. No: 03687].
5. 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.