Lacock
Jany 29th
My dear Constance
I enclose a letter from Caroline <1> – The book she has sent me is very curious: The prayers of some Armenian saint St Nerses <2> in 33 different languages, which is doing great honour to the Saint’s memory I believe he lived in the 12th Century. It seems possible that Prince Leopold <3> may recover from the present attack, but his health is always very feeble.
Mr Awdry has heard from Dr Nash who proposes to charge 80 £ per annum for Goodwin. <4>
Parliament meets today, when Disraeli <5> will have it all his own way, since the Liberals have got no leader – There is remarkably little stirring in the political world this last autumn and winter – If there had not been a revolution in Spain there would have been nothing. I feel interested for the boy Alphonso <6> seated so suddenly on a turbulent throne, he seems to have behaved hitherto remarkably well and to have shown much spirit. The Pope <7> is embarassed between him and Don Carlos, <8> both of whom profess themselves devoted to him and warm upholders of the Church, but as Alphonso is sure to win, I think the Pope had better adopt his cause and dismiss Don Carlos with his blessing.
Adieu
Your affte
Henry
Notes:
1. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
2. Nerses of Lambron (1153–1198), Bishop of the Armenians who worked for the union of the Greek and Armenian Churches, and of the Armenian church with Rome.
3. Leopold Saxe-Coburg, Duke of Albany (1853–1884), son of Queen Victoria.
4. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
5. Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–1881), Conservative Prime Minister (1868 and 1874–1880).
6. Alponso XII of Spain (1857–1885), King of Spain from 1875–1885.
7. Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti (1792–1878), Pope Pius IX from 1846 to 1878.
8. Don Carlos (1848–1909), prince of Bourbon, claimant to the throne of Spain.