5 Crescent
Nov 13th Saturday –
My dear Henry –
You have been so munificent in sending me the earliest Globes <1> since the little Prince’s birth, <2> that I much suspect you have been affording me one copy for my private perusal. – Thanks for your kind thought about it. – I am rather diverted to find all the details of the first accounts contradicted in later ones – When do you propose coming to us! – Rosamund & Matilda <3> are playing beside me & send their Papa 2 kisses each with their love. – Ela <4> is lying down up stairs with a bilious headache – and little Matilda had just the same kind of attack yesterday. – It was nothing but what Bennett <5> & I could have cured ourselves – – but for additional satisfaction I took this opportunity of making acquaintance with Mrs Howard’s doctor. – as I wished to know what had produced these sick-headaches in order to avoid the cause in future. – I suspect the doctor thinks it attributable to their having commenced bathing so late in the season. but I shall have some further talk with him on this subject. –– Since writing this, I have received a visit from Dr Allanby who came charged with a message from Lady Harriet <6>– He also says the weather is too cold for bathing – except a chance day now & then. In this case I suppose we must trust to the strengthening effect of the air & plenty of seawater brought into the house – Lady Harriet had a letter from Harriet <7> yesterday giving a better account of dear little Noel <8> – Marian <9> also heard by the same post & forwarded the letter for me to read. – but their anxiety is by no means at an end – for at the time of writing Nov 2d was in a state of great exhaustion consequent upon the fever – and he thought there would be no decided change for the better for the next week at least – Poor Louisa Frampton <10> had rather an alarming attack a day or two ago – & they sent express fm Dr Allanby – but when he saw her yesterday she had rallied. – It is quite surprising to see that her strength has held out so long. – How are you all at Lacock? – or rather I should say how are you both! –
Your affectionate
Constance –
Notes:
1. The Globe (London).
2. Edward VII (1841–1910), King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British dominions and Emperor of India from 1901. He was born on 9 November 1841. He was the eldest son of Queen Victoria and was created prince of Wales and earl of Chester when he was one month old. [See Doc. No: 04361].
3. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter, and Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3
4. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
5. Bennett, nurse and governess to WHFT’s family.
6. Lady Harriet Frampton, née Fox Strangways (d. 1844) .
7. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
8. Francis Noel Mundy (1833–1903), WHFT’s nephew.
9. Her sister, Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).
10. Louisa Charlotte Frampton (1808-1885), author.<.p>