link to Talbot Project home page link to De Montfort University home page link to Glasgow University home page
Project Director: Professor Larry J Schaaf
 

Back to the letter search >

Document number: 09038
Date: 11 Nov 1865
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: EDGCUMBE Caroline Augusta, née Feilding
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 14th March 2012

Cotehele House <1>
Calstock
Tavistock
Novr 11th 1865

My dear Henry

I have two letters to thank you for – both short & sweet – announcing Mr Oakeley’s <2> success, & the wrath of his opponents. His election was so entirely unexpected, that I put off writing to him, as I was on the point of doing, till the affair was over, being quite prepared to write my express my “ complimens de condoléance <3>”. – I had a short letter from him yesterday written in the greatest hurry, just to thank me, & to express his great gratitude to you – He wrote from London, & said he had had no time to himself since his election. He was going back to Edinburgh by the night train, to be inducted today – & to London again on Monday – & then back again – so that he cannot have much leisure just at present. I feel sure that your letter to Mr Gladstone <4> procured his vote – & no doubt the fact of Mr Oakeley being a University man, had something to say to it.

Please tell Aunt Constance with Ernestine’s <5> love, that her letter came on here from Mount E. <6> & that she could not answer it today, as she was going out to lunch at a neighbour’s; but I will answer the questions abt the Vals <7> instead.

They crossed over on the 2nd & had a most beautiful passage – not a ripple on the water – & as it was early, Katie <8> took a drive on the Cliffs at Boulogne, where they slept. She was not at all the worse, or tired – nor with the journey to Paris, where they remained 4 days. They were to start again on the 7th in a nice, clean Saloon carriage, & go day & night to Cannes – but we have had no news since Paris. Tell Constance also that I will not forget the small figs – about which the gardener has been already spoken to.

Give my love to her & Ela <9>

Yr affte Sister
Caroline

I have actually had a few bunches of delicious muscat Grapes on my young vines – & quantities of out-door ripe black ones – both here & at Mount E.

Notes:

1. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.

2. Oakley’s election as Professor of Music at Edinburgh University was due to the casting vote of the Chancellor, William Ewart Gladstone.

3. Condolences.

4. William Ewart Gladstone (1809–1898), statesman and author.

5. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife and Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.

6. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.

7. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.

8. Lady Katherine Elizabeth Edgcumbe, née Hamilton (1840–1874), wife of William Henry Edgcumbe.

9. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.