Lacock Abbey
Sunday March 31.

My dear Henry

I like your Prospectus extremely & have sent it on to Lady Elisabeth ^<1> as she will like to see it & it will partly answer her letter by shewing how you are now engaged – and as I imagine unable to go to Mount Edgcumbe, ^<2> which I was very anxious too you should make time for – But I did not know you would be kept in London so long – It is so difficult to manage everything –

Marian ^<3> enjoys her visit & we both rejoice in this lovely weather. I did sow all the Hort. seeds immediately – & Humphries ^<4> put them on the top shelf –

I send Lady Elisabeth’s letter received this morning – I have just answered it – I am at a loss to reconcile your account with hers respecting her destination on Wednesday – but I imagine mine must be the latest news – Perhaps she means to go on from hence in a few days – I forward a note from Mr Awdry ^<5> which he enclosed to me yesterday –

Your affectionate
Constance –

I think of ordering horses for a drive to Bowden & Bowood ^<6> on Tuesday if the weather continues fine – It will be a pleasure for Marian & all of us – and I think you will approve –

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqr
31 Sackville Street
London

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Notes:

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

2. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe

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

4. John Humphries, gardener at Lacock Abbey in the early 1840’s.

5. West Awdry (1807–1892), solicitor, Chippenham.

6. Bowden Park, Wiltshire, 1 mi SE of Lacock and Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne