| Description | 1. 21 Jul 1800 Letter from William Talbot to Lady Elisabeth Talbot at Penrice Castle about some journeys he has made. Talks of Mrs Campbell who has worn herself out having to sit up with her ill brother. Also mentions Mr Owen who "was here a moment ago and struggled hard to get at my morsel of lamb but I beat him". Also talks of other acquaintances and ends the letter by saying that he hopes to see some fortune the following day.
2. Letter from unknown, probably Lady Elisabeth, to an unknown recipient asking advice about a letter that has been enclosed. The enclosed letter is dated 9 May 1795 and has been copied by Lady Elisabeth who has clearly been admired by the author but has snubbed him. The author is referred to by Lady Elisabeth as "L-" and is a friend of hers, so she does not want to hurt him. The letter by the lover expresses regret that he has shown any affection to her and is angered by her apparent contempt. At the end of the letter he asks her to simply tell him whether she loves or abhors him.
3. Undated letter from William Talbot detailing military matters and saying that he is more in love with her than ever. Also talks of the house they live in and how hard he has worked to make sure she loves it.
4. Undated letter from William Talbot bemoaning the fact that they cannot be together: this presumably was written c1795 when Lady Elisabeth's father had shown his disapproval of their union.
5. Undated letter from William Talbot concerning his work at Lacock; he mentions he is "really wore to death" with looking over leases, bargains and other deeds, and refers to Lacock as the "sink of iniquity".
6. 1800 Letter from William Talbot referring to Elisabeth's travel arrangements and appears to suggest that she has lied about how far she travelled in one day. Elisabeth has already given birth to her son as he refers at the end to "that sweet infant". Suggests his illness and disappointment with Elisabeth, and his unhappiness. Not signed or addressed to Elisabeth with any affection.
7. Undated letter probably from William Talbot. He has proposed to marry Lady Elisabeth and has received a letter from her and also from her father on the same day concerning the matter. Lady Elisabeth's father, the Earl of Ilchester, was opposed to her marriage with William Talbot and had made this clear in a letter just opened. Refers to a "Chevalier" who has appeared in his dreams.
8. Undated letter from William Talbot mentioning Mrs Campbell and discussing how ill he is feeling. He is anxious to leave London but doesn't know how he can in his "present state".
9. Undated letter from unknown, possibly William Talbot but the writing is different to the others. Mentions catching fish.
Detailed transcriptions of the letters are available on the Lacock Unlocked website: www.wshc.eu/lacock |