My dear Henry
I send you the Votes &c of yesterday & today hoping you will tell me tomorrow what you wish about them. My Visitor seems very contented & I have lighted the fire to make her & myself comfortable. I do not know what kind of day you may g have got at Lacock, but here we find it rather cold. We mean to try the effects of a walk presently if it does not begin to rain. - I called upon Miss Feilding <1> yesterday, but was not admitted because Lady Robert Fitzgerald <2> was with her. - She said however that she would be happy to see me today, so I mean to go again. - Laura <3> & I have been studying the Times <4> of today, but luckily did not discover a great deal that we considered worthy of our attention. - The Flowers that came in the Basket from Lacock yesterday are charming. - There is a noble specimen of Solomon's seal a very fine Lupin & pretty sprigs of red-thorn - besides many other pretty things, there are lilacs & lilies of the valley which perfume the air most deliciously - and I am so charmed with the Tradescantia Virginica that I think of trying to paint it, though the colors are almost too brilliant to imitate. -
We are invited by Lady Grey <5> to a full dress party on the 28th What induces her to take notice of us? Mrs Watts Russell <6> gives a Soirée dansante next Monday to which I think of taking Laura! Am I not arrived at great honor to have a Sister to chaperone? I hope you feel already benefited by the country air, & pray dont forget to send me an account of the Seeds &c &c. - Did you get my letter yesterday stating my perplexities about Lady Ilchester? <7>
I do not mean to send you any letters that look like bills or printed papers unless you desire it. - One of this description came for Mr Feilding <8> this morning. -
I hope you do not want Edward. <9> - Do you remember directing a letter for Price <10> the evening before you went away? - It is strange that I never could find it afterwards. - Did you happen to carry it off by mistake?
Yr affecte
Constance. -
Wednesday. -
Notes:
1. Matilda Feilding (1775-1849), WHFT's 'aunt' - sister of Charles Feilding, his stepfather.
2. Sophia Charlotte Fitzgerald, née Feilding (d. 1834), sister of Charles Feilding.
3. Laura Mundy (1805-1842), WHFT's sister-in-law.
4. The Times (London).
5. Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby, Lady Grey (1776-1861).
6. Mary Watts-Russell, née Watts.
7. Juliana Maria Strangways, née Digby (d. 1842).
8. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780-1837), Royal Navy; WHFT's step-father.
9. Edward, a valet to WHFT.
10. Mrs Sarah Henneman, first m. Price ( ca.1811-1848), housemaid at Lacock Abbey.