My dear Papa,
I got my answer at last from Emily Mundy, <1> this morning, and it was not her fault that she did not answer sooner, as my letter had not been forwarded to her. I think now that we had better have the christening on the nineteenth Tuesday
Noel and his wife <2> cannot come to it. As he has to be present at his father’s “testimonial dinner” What is the testimonial about? – Aunt Harriet, <3> in her letter to me, asks whether I should like to have “a print” of Uncle Mundy. <4> Has he been presented with his portrait by his former Constituency? for that is how I interpret it – and I suppose you know all about it – Now, dear Papa, will you settle when to come & finish you visit here? I should enjoy it very much if you could all come to the Christening – and we could manage to put you all up now the Mundys are not coming; if you can arrange it – at any rate, we should like to have as many as possible – you will think Baby quite changed, I am sure – I wonder if you will think her as pretty as before – for her face is much fatter, & broader looking than it was. No objection has been raised to her proposed name – so I suppose she will get it as originally arranged, and I think it is high time that she should cease to be nameless! –
I saw the eclipse quite well through my bedroom window – it was particularly distinct at the best time, so that the children could see it with the naked eye, and were particularly pleased to see “the moon” “running” so fast through the clouds. I tried to get Jacky <5> to understand what it was he was looking at – but I dont think I quite dispelled the notion that it was the moon which looked bright! He will hope for better things bye & bye – They send love &
I am your most affecte daughter
Tilly.
Dabton <6>
March 9th 1867
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot, Esqr
13. Great Stuart Street
Edinburgh.
Notes:
1. Emily Maria Georgiana Mundy, née Cavendish (1845-1929).
2. Francis Noel Mundy (1833-1903), WHFT's nephew, and his wife Emily.
3. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
4. William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
5. John Henry Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Jack’ (1861–1902), WHFT’s grandson.
6. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s 3rd daughter, Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly'.