Centre house Knightstone ^<1>
October 21^st –

My dear Henry

I have heard it said that you were going to London about this time – but not knowing whether this be certainly true, I will enclose my letter to Lady Elisabeth ^<2> & ask her to forward it if you should really have left Lacock. –

I have not yet ceased to lament your ill-fortune at Clifton ^<3> – for no day since has been anything like so foggy and the three last days have excelled in brilliancy any which I have noticed for a long time. –

The views in this neighbourhood are very extensive whenever we get upon high ground – and the extreme clearness of the atmosphere has made the three last drives particularly enjoyable although the air has been cold – one can scarcely expect the pleasure of a mild air & clear sky united at this time of year. Yesterday we went to Banwell Hill & admired the ornamental cottage & grounds belonging to the Bishop of Bath & Wells ^<4> – But the view from the top of the hill where he has erected a column is most enchanting. – You would have found the air there sufficiently pure & bracing! – I could not bear it for many moments, but quickly descended to rejoin Marian ^<5> on a lower part of the grounds – We continue to like our situation on the Knightstone – The Weston guide informs us that it was formerly a solitary rock an Island at high water & that the late Dr Fox ^<6> the eminent physician of Brislington availed himself of its peculiar advantages to construct the Bathing establishment & three lodging houses thereon, & built a causeway to connect it with the strand. – The centre house we find much more convenient than the upper one which we first occupied – We have had various annoyances from smoke, cold, &c &c even in the second house; but are now getting over them all & feeling a little more settled. – I think the place seems to agree with us all – Baby ^<7> has a cold which has kept him at home the last few days – but is otherwise well – only tormented with his teeth. – You recollect I dare say, that we talked of having a third person in the Nursery some time since when Neesham ^<8> was ill from over fatigue – & that when she became better, she wished to try again how she could get on without this addition – because she said she disliked having many people about her – The trial was made, & I found that the exertion was again upsetting her owing to many nights’ waking – so I told her at once that we would have another person to assist while Baby continued to be so troublesome – She knew a young woman whom she could strongly recommend & I therefore desired her to write immediately for her to come – and she is arrived today. – I am sure you will approve for my sake as well as Baby’s – for I was extremely annoyed when I found things taking such an uncomfortable turn. – I cannot bear to hear a child of mine crying & fretting – while the Nurse laments & exclaims in despair, Oh what shall I do with this child! – Now I hope I shall hear nothing of that sort as one of the three Nurses may be certain of a good night’s rest in turn. – I have scarcely had a glimpse of the new woman’s countenance yet, but her voice appeared to be that of a good humored & lively person – There are many pretty shells to be found here which delight the children ^<9>very much –

Saturday. – Since writing this letter (last night) – the weather has changed from sunshine to a violent storm of wind & rain – All our rooms smoke except the Drawing room & Marian’s bed room! –

Y^r aff^te
Constance

H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
31 Sackville Street
London ^<10>

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Notes:

1. Weston-super-Mare.

2. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.

3. Clifton, Bristol, on the Avon Gorge.

4. George Henry Law (1761–1845). He was bishop successively of Chester (1812–1824) and Bath and Wells (1824–1845).

5. Her sister, Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).

6. Dr Edward Long Fox (1762–1835). In 1804 he established a private mental asylum at Brislington, near Bristol.

7. Charles Henry Talbot, (2 Feb 1842 - 26 Dec 1916), 'Charlie'; 'Tally'; antiquary & WHFT's only son.

8. Mrs Neesham, who was engaged as a nurse in May 1842.

9. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1^st daughter; Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), 'Rose'; 'Monie'; artist & WHFT's 2^nd daughter; died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock; Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3^rd daughter;

10. Re-addressed in another hand.