Lacock Abbey
July 14th
My dear Henry
I hope tomorrow’s post will bring me some account of yourself & of Emily <1> – I long to know how you got to Southampton – whether my Mother <2> met you there, in short all about it – I felt very lonesome indeed all Monday after you were gone – the day appeared so unusually long, & besides I was so tired after my sleepless night that I could scarcely do anything at all. – However I have made up for that by sleeping charmingly the last two nights, & I feel wonderfully invigorated in consequence. – Yesterday I drove to Sloperton <3> & took Ela <4> with me – she behaved like an angel; & though we had to wait (I should think at least a quarter of an hour) for Mrs Moore <5> who was out in her Donkey carriage she did not betray the smallest symptom of impatience. Mr Moore <6> noticed her uncommonly & admired her eyes, in return for which she put on some of her prettiest smiles. – I was not successful in engaging Mrs Moore to accompany me to Devizes – she would have been too happy to go but unluckily has a visitor staying with her – You must not forget to tell me whether you wish the carriage to meet you anywhere on Saturday. – I hope Fanny <7> takes good care of you & makes you comfortable – pray do not hurry home again till you have quite finished everything. – Have you seen Harriot? <8> – I had a letter from her this morning to say she should not come till Tuesday at any rate, & perhaps not then – but she will write again. – I hope you got Caroline’s <9> letter that I forwarded to you yesterday. – The Cholera seems to be bad at Toulon <10> from the accounts in today’s newspaper poor Lady Elisabeth! <11> I wish it may frighten her just enough to make her insist on coming home to us – how delightful that would be! –
Please not to forget to bring my carriage muffkin that was left either in the entrance hall or the diningroom & a seed cake for the edification of the Baker – & perhaps you might think it adviseable to bring me a few visiting cards from Warwick’s in Regent St – they struck some off for me last year (plain Mrs Talbot) & I have only 2 or 3 of them left. –
Ela enjoyed her drive so much yesterday that I think of taking her out with me again today if the wind drops towards five o’clock. – It is sadly blowing & gloomy today, but not unpleasant. – I have been walking amongst the flowers this morning & I am glad to say they do not appear much beaten down by the wind. –
Adieu dearest Henry pray take care of yourself –
Ela sends her best love to her Papa & hopes he will soon come back again to play with her arms – She has been on my knee just now, looking as lovely & rosy as possible – Mrs Moore told me that the things at the Nonsuch sale went very high indeed & the Orange-trees were all bought by a gardener except one – that is secured for you – she does not know yet whether it is one of the best or not –
Yr affectionate
Constance.
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
31. Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Emily Mundy (1807– 5 November 1839), WHFT’s sister-in-law.
2. Sarah Leaper Mundy, née Newton (d. 10 March 1836), WHFT’s mother in law.
3. Sloperton Cottage, Wiltshire, 1 mi E of Lacock: home of Thomas Moore, the Irish poet.
4. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
5. Elizabeth (Bessie) Moore, née Dyke (1783–1865), wife of the poet Thomas Moore.
6. Thomas Moore (1780–1852), Irish poet.
7. Housekeeper.
8. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
9. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
10. Between Nice and Marseille, France.
11. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.