13 Great Stuart Street Edinburgh
Monday May 20. –

My dear Henry

I have received 3 letters from you, but no news of Caroline.–^<1> Please compassionate our state of darkness, and tell us something about her & Ernestine.–^<2> You have had more sun & less wind, down south, apparently; as your’s of Saturday praises the weather. – Here we have it still ungenial, and very treacherous. Yet the sun yesterday was so warm, – and with such an unusual absence of wind, that Monie^<3> was able to sit close to the open window, in M^lle A’s^<4> room, in the afternoon, enjoying for some time, the fresh air. – She wants this now to revive her, and give her strength. – I am glad to say that she eats better – and has really liked her morsel of roast mutton, with ½ a glass of Porter, these three last days – D^o Moir^<5> watches her very carefully – and I can plainly see that he is doing everything that he possibly can to raise her, both by strict attention to nourishment, and by tonics. – I think he did not expect she w^d remain so long in this weak state. She went down to the back drawing Room for a short time on Friday – and today for the 2^d time only – It is rather less comfortable for her there – but it gives more change of air – She feels the cold weather very much, and gets very chilly at times – So I wish greatly for her sake that the east wind w^d take its departure – I will contrive some means of getting the branch of Bomaria to Miss Gibson Craig^<6> on Saturday, if you send it in the next basket – She has been very unwell indeed since we saw her, but is now better. – I think the beautiful Ornithogalum thyrsoideum is a great acquisition. I have mentioned in my last letter to Wilkins,^<6> that you will [ill. del.] arrange with him how to dispose of the grapes and different sorts of fruit in their season (of the saleable kinds) to some dealer in Fruit, at Bath or elsewhere – The subject should be properly explained to him now: though of course it is too early to bind ourselves in any way, until we see that nothing happens in the mean time, to prevent our going abroad. – And please to discuss with Wilkins the cleaning out of the large pond. If you can afford it this year, it will be an advantage to get it down done during the absence of the Family.–

Your affectionate
Constance

My love to Charles^<7> – & tell him, please, this improved account of Monie.

A question about Meteors

[enclosed clipping from The Times: 'The New Theory of the Meteors', by E. B. Denison, and another by John F. Halford, discussing the theory of Bates:]

How is it possible that the November Meteors should affect us now? or be passing between the Earth and the Sun?: and make the weather so cold. If you can explain it in a few simple words – I shall like to be made to understand it: but don’t give yourself trouble if it is too difficult –

[envelope:]
[printed on rear flap:] 13 Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh
H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire

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Notes:

1. Lady Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding (1808-1881); WHFT's half-sister.

2. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT's niece.

3. Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock; 'Monie', artist & WHFT's 2^nd daughter.

4. Amélina Petit de Billier, 'Mamie', 'Amandier' (1798- 8 September 1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].

5. Dr John Moir (b 1809), French-born to British parents, MD, 52 Castle St, Edinburgh.

6. Margaret Christian Gibson-Craig (d. 1871), daughter of Sir James Gibson-Craig, Scottish politician.

7. Charles Henry Talbot, 'Charlie' or 'Tally' (2 Feb 1842 - 26 Dec 1916), antiquary & WHFT's only son.