November 10 –
My dear Henry
I wish you would contrive time to visit Caroline <1> at Brighton – you know you were wishing for some sea air a little while ago & even mentioned Brighton as the place which you thought would suit you – We are disappointed not to have you at home tomorrow – but after all, our party will be very small – only the Shelburnes <2> – Mr Moore <3>& Mr Vio[missing text]<4>
We have had much darkness & rain & wind, even here, so I do not wonder you should have found the weather disagreeable in London – Today is almost the first sunny day we have had since our return from Clifton. <5> – Humphries <6> wants me to decide now about the fruit trees, so I am afraid I cannot wait your return, but settle the matter with Lady Elisabeth <7> to the best of our judgement. –
Yr affte
Constance. –
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
31. Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
2. Henry Fitzmaurice, Lord Shelburne, 4th Marquess of Lansdowne (1816–1866), MP, and family.
3. Thomas Moore (1780–1852), Irish poet.
4. Torn away under seal.
5. Bristol.
6. John Humphries, gardener at Lacock Abbey in the early 1840’s.
7. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.