[landscape engraving:]DADDY’S HOLE
near Torquay

Friday 16^th Dec^r 1853

My dear Henry

I do not wonder you were puzzled at seeing Val’s ^<1> name in the Oxford list – I will however proceed to explain this apparent phenomenon. He did not go up for honours in Mathematics having renounced them, as I told you, in favour of Modern History – But he was of course obliged to go up for a pass in Mathematics – as this is a sine quâ non ^<2> before taking one’s degree. He did so well however in merely being examined for a pass, that the Examiners were pleased to bestow upon him an honorary 4^th Class – which is considered rather a κυδος ^<3> – Val is very anxious this should be properly explained – because what in this case is an honour, would be considered a disgrace had he tried for a 1^st & obtained only a 4^th Class. Pray explain this to Constance & Amandier. ^<4> In publishing the list, no distinction is made between ordinary 4^th & honorary 4^th – Val was so vexed he did not go to lunch at Jane’s ^<5> the day you were there – He was in London only that one day I think. He is now here, & Charlie ^<6> too; his tutor being gone away for his Holidays. – We were delighted with your description of the Charades, & longed much to have seen them. I guessed them both. Orange & Carpenters Car–painter. – I should much like to have some of your photographic engravings & the Athenæum ^<7> account of the process I enclose a specimen of a lovely fern from M^t E. ^<8> lately introduced there – Is it not a variety of Venus’ Hair? – Pray tell Amandier I have got the dear old Harp that used to be at Laycock Abbey. I have had it put in order by Erard ^<9> – & as we have got our own good Piano from M^t E. we can make some very nice music, which Milord ^<10> hears & enjoys from his bed. I am sure Amandier will be pleased to hear, that my fingers have forgotten very little of what she taught me – tho’ it is many Years since they swept the strings!

Is not Daddy’s Hole a curious looking place? It is a great rent or chasm, as if part of the Cliff had slid away from the rest – & large trees have grown up in the fissure. I sent a view of the Port to Amandier – & Ernestine ^<11> one of Anstey’s Cove to Rosamond. ^<12>

Love to all – y^rs aff^te
Caroline

Milord^<13> has been very ill for about a week – But yesterday & today is very much better again. I hear that L^d Feilding is going to be married again – it is not a year since his wife’s death – but that party are anxious no time should be lost, for fear he sh^d get out of their hands. His future is a R. Catholic Miss Fraser.

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Greta Bank
Keswick
Cumberland

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Notes:

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

2. Indispensable condition.

3. Kudos: credit, honour.

4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife, Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].

5. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).

6. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.

7. The Athenæum and (London) Literary Chronicle, London.

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

9. Sebastian & Pierre Erard, harp and pianoforte mnufacturers, 18 Gt. Marlborough Street, London. [See Doc. No: 03929, and Post Office Directory, London, 1856, p.1011].

10. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3^rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.

11. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.

12. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2^nd daughter.

13. Her husband (see note 1)