Dabton <1>
Thornhill
Decr 17th 1872
My dear Papa,
I sent you by this post a sun engraving left here by Colonel Stotherd <2> of the Engineers who thought it would interest you to see it – he does not want it any more = Jack <3> turned up all right last night & seems very well & in excellent spirits though he did not bring back the prize that he expected. The weather yesterday & today has been fearful – constant melting snow & sleet with an east wind! We had two days of bright hard frost last week – I wish it had lasted as it is so much healthier. We paid a three day’s visit last week at Dormant in Anandale but could do nothing but sit in the house, it was so stormy the gentlemen tried to shoot but did not make much of it – Please tell Charles <4> I was sorry he could not come just now, but I suppose with all his occupations it could not be helped – I hope he will arrange to come a little later. I must post this, or I shall be too late.
Love from the children
Yr most affecte daughter
Tilly
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqr.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
2. Richard Hugh Stotherd (1828–1895), major general royal engineers.
3. John Henry Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Jack’ (1861–1902), WHFT’s grandson.
4. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.