Dabton <1>
Thornhill
My dear Papa,
Oct 5th 1876
I could not get through to you comfortably in one day, even if I did sleep at Carlisle. I should then reach Bristol at 8. P.M – and there is no train to take me on – till the mid-night one – so you see it makes much the easiest and really the pleasantest journey to come by night – But probably I may take the old North Western route, as it is so quiet & well arranged. I hope to be with you on Saturday morning, and I don’t intend to be a bit tired – Please tell Mama <2> that none of us were any the worse of the Bazaar, after we had had a good night’s rest. The new Governess seems to have made a very favourable impression on her pupils & I have no doubt they will be quite comfortable with her while I am away I mean to bring you a plant of forgetmenot, which is a remarkably pretty blue – neither light nor dark – we think we invented it here, but are not quite sure. the children have taken much more to gardening lately, which I am glad of.
I was very glad to hear of the plan for warming the house, which I am sure is a very good thing Please ask Mama to send to meet me at Corsham <3> at the same train I came by before; 7·50.
Your most affecte daughter
Tilly
Notes:
1. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
3. Corsham Court, Wiltshire, 3 mi NW of Lacock: seat of Ld Methuen.