Thursday Januy 23rd/68
My dear Father,
Lady Hylton <1> has asked me to Merstham for a on Saturday Febry 1st for a few days. I have therefore taken a lodging at 32 St James’ Place for a week, and on the 1st February I shall go to Merstham and then on from there to Lacock. I went today with Merewether to see Meredith Brown, who is a Stock broker, and we observed the Stock Exchange through a glass door but were not allowed to go in. It seems a roughish sort of place, more conducive to the acquisition of wealth than of manners. – Yesterday was rainy and disagreable [sic]. Today is cold and there is a little sun. – The best result of that exploit of the “roughs” when they knocked down the railings skirting Park Lane, is that the new railings are being set further back and the thoroughfare is being widened. –
I enclose a note to Goodwin <2> and am going to tell him to forward my letters. –
Mr Merewether is now Treasurer of the Temple and in consequence has to say Grace in hall. – I have seen Mallock <3> who has moved in to New Chambers. He is much interested in the aggressions of the Du tchy of Cornwall who which has been putting forward unrecognised claims to shares or some dues at Torquay. –
They had a meeting the other day on the subject at Torquay and he made a speech. We ought to be well up in the subject as I know that he has been suspicious of the proceedings of the Du tchy for sometime.
I hope to hear from you soon. to 32 St James’ St Place
Your affect son
Charles –
[envelope:]
H Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
[dry embossed on flap:]
New University Club 1, Saville Row
Notes:
1. Lady Sophia Penelope Jolliffe, née Sheffield (1822-1882); first m. WTHF Strangways, 21 July 1857; second m. 1st Baron Hylton.
2. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.
3. Charles could have been friends with either of two sons of Charles Herbert Mallock (1802-1873) of Cockington Court, Torquay, whilst at Harrow. Charles Herbert Mallock (1840-1875), later a barrister, entered in 1854. Richard Mallock (1843-1900), later an MP, entered in 1858. Both left Harrow in 1859, the year of Charles Henry's departure. The reference to 'new chambers' could well have applied to either of them.