TALBOT7526

Markeaton
Jan^y 16

My dear Henry

I was on the point of writing to thank you for, & to reciprocate your good wishes, when the dismal tidings arrived from Melbury ¹ – so I have been unable to do so till now. – You have of course heard all the melancholy particulars of dear Uncle Harry’s last illness,² but possibly not the disposition of the property: which Henry³ mentioned when he wrote after he returned from attending the Funeral last Saturday –. The Wiltshire property is left to John⁴ of which I am very glad – the rest of the Landed Estates to William⁵ to whom indeed he had made over Abbotsbury at Christmas. – Whatever money was in the Funds (not I believe a great deal) to Theresa & Caroline,⁶ & the House in Burlington S^t to Theresa for her life – £5000 to each of her children & the same to Caroline should she have any – besides this there were some legacies to Charitable Institutions, Servants & to some of the Strangways family but I am not au fait of those. Theresa & Caroline are now at [Brume?], but John & Amy⁷ remain at Melbury for the present as he is joint executor with his Brother –. I cannot imagine Melbury without Uncle Harry! He was so connected with all our early associations & the last link which united our Mothers to bygone times & Family histories – but they all seem to like William’s wife much⁸ & indeed I am now glad that he has married, he w^d be so solitary otherwise, for nobody excepting T. & C. will more regret what we have lost. – I hope you will let me hear what you are doing or proposing to do in the way of amusement. It would have been unlucky that my nieces sh^d have been absent (had not the Dance at Bowood been postponed owning to this event. Miss Coutts⁹ invited us to visit her in London to see what was to be seen of the Princess Royal’s¹⁰ marriage, but we did not feel inclined for any extra gaiety & moreover my mourning would be an obstacle on such an occasion. Pray give my love to Constance & tell her that her ci-divant neighbour Sir Harry Vane¹¹ has been writing us this winter & we like him very much. We had only known him in London before & are glad to have improved our acquaintance –. Noel¹² is returning to London to keep his Law Term but we shall not now go there till after Easter.

Y^rs aff^tey
H G Mundy

P S. The Photographs being mounted w^d not have in the least signified –.