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Document number: 2849
Date: 16 Mar 1834
Dating: see 02854
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TALBOT Constance, née Mundy
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA34(MW)-35
Last updated: 12th February 2012

Lacock Abbey
March 14 –

Dearest Henry

Imagine my delight on hearing from my Mother <1> this morning that they would pay me a five minutes’ visit on Tuesday next as they pass through Lacock on their way from Estcourt <2> to Moreton. <3> It seems to me like an idea in a dream! – I think Made de Stael <4> does not intend to censure Kant <5> so severely as you imagine. – She says quantities of things in his praise which I could not attempt to repeat & attributes the obscurity of his style to his losing himself in the depths of his own soul, & forgetting that he is scarcely intelligible to the rest of the world. – It is a fault certainly, but no argument against the existence of his own intrinsic merit, & f astonishing powers of his mind. –

How unlucky & extraordinary that the Vol. of Col d’Anterne plants should be the one missing – that one which we had good reason to prize more than all the rest! – I am very glad however that Mlle Amelina’s <6> music book was safe, as she values it extremely, – it contains some things of your Sisters’ <7> composition which could never have been replaced. – Mlle Amélina has just recollected that she did not yet cause her Passport to be exchanged at the Alien Office according to form, as she ought to have done on passing through London. – she means to ask Mr Feilding <8> to arrange the business for her when he goes to Town; but as the Passport is at present in your hands she begs me to request that should you have it among your papers in London, you will bring it with you to Lacock – it is of consequence to her to have it rectified before Mr Feilding leaves England. –

My Mother begs we will send as many things as we like to Queen Anne St. <9> – she has I believe enclosed a certificate to you – for the person in charge of the house, as he would probably otherwise have refused them admittance. – She approves of my idea about the little footman, & will write to you direct, if Mr Hall has one to recommend –

Yr affecte
Constance –


Notes:

1. Sarah Leaper Mundy, née Newton (d. 1836), WHFT’s mother in law.

2. Family home of Thomas Henry Sutton Sotheron Bucknall Estcourt (1801–1876), MP at Tetbury, Goucestershire.

3. Moreton, Dorset: home of the Frampton family.

4. Anne Louise Germaine Necker de Staël-Holstein (better known as Madame de Staël), (1766–1817), critic and writer.

5. Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), philosopher.

6. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].

7. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister, and Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.

8. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.

9. 44 Queen Ann Street: London home of the Mundy family and a frequent base for WHFT.

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