Burden Hotel
Weymouth
Monday Octr 4th /69
My dear Father
I received a letter from Mamma <1> enclosing one from Mr Kite; since which yours, and one this morning from Ela. <2> –
The latter enclosed an intimation that I had been elected at the Ruridecanal <3> Meeting of Clergy and Laity as a Lay Representative of the Deanery at the Diocesan Conference at Bristol. Co This s Conference is to meet at Clifton on October 19th. Three classes of subjects are to be discussed. I do not suppose I shall go. –
Our weather here has been most variable. – . We have had thunder & lightning. n a good deal of rain including one very heavy shower on Saturday morning. –
Today is a remarkably fine day but there is no sea breeze to speak of. – . Since The sun has considerable power again. Since I have been here the weather has been remarkably mild. –
I wrote to Rosamond <4> the day after I wrote to Mamma. – You would do well to get some proper writing paper from Mamma or Ela. The ink shows through the foreign paper & makes it difficult to read. –
Since I have been here I have seen Mr & Mrs Goldney <5> and Mr Merewether. <6> He and Mrs M came here on Saturday to see a servant, and went back on M today. He reported a great storm at Lacock on Wednesday evening. –
I think that the Clarks would do well to put off till the Spring, that being also the time at which the place looks to the best advantage. –
I am glad to hear that Lady Mt Edgcumbe is to be allowed to stay the winter in England. That shows I should think that the doctors think her better. –
I think it possible that if this place continues to suit me I may not be back at Lacock when Aunt Caroline <7> is there. If I am not; then I think she might like to see my paper on the Abbey, <8> which Ela will find in one of the drawers of the Round Table. – as it is written fair and the sheets are numbered and the number of sheets is written on the back of the first sheet, she can make no mistake about it. Moreover the title is on it. “on the existing structure of Lacock Abbey”. –
I dont want anything else of mine, that may be there, moved. Also Aunt C might be shown the plans, which are rolled up on a table in the Lobby. and I particularly want her to see the photograph of the half timbered house, in my photograph book.
Your affect son
Charles
[envelope:]
H Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
2. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
3. Of a rural deanery.
4. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
5. Harry Goldney, town clerk of Chippenham.
6. Henry Alworth Merewether, jnr (1813–1877), JP, author & Recorder for Devizes.
7. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
8. Lacock Abbey.