Stonehouse
Plymouth
March 8th 1855
My dear Henry
I think you will be glad to hear of the good fortune that has befallen Rim <1> In the first place I ought to say that he returned quite safe from the Coast of Africa about a month ago – on promotion – having been raised to the rank of Post Captain.
He was extremely ill on the Coast, & had a miserable voyage home in a half disabled Steamer – But he is now in robust health – & is going to be married to Miss Adelaide Vernon, <2> a daughter of Lord Vernon’s <3> – a particularly charming & good girl – pretty, clever, accomplished & with some money – not a great fortune – but enough to enable them to live just comfortably, with the little he has. It has been a long attachment on both sides – ever since he left England – But there was no engagement & no one knew of it but the nearest relations.
However, before making any attempts to ascertain if she still thought about him, he had the magnanimity to go to the Admiralty & make known his anxiety for a ship to serve in the Baltic – feeling, as he said himself, that, had he gone to her first, he would not have had “pluck” to ask for a ship afterwards. In the mean time she had been pining ever since his departure; & was did not keep him long in suspence; & they are both now at the summit of human happiness. The law business is yet to come.
I hope all your Invalids are pretty well again. Milord <4> is so–so. His house is getting on.
Will you tell me the name of your London Banker, that I may remit the Sum I spoke about. I am so very sorry that odious lawsuit cost you so much.
Ever dear Henry with love to all
Yrs very affte
Caroline
Notes:
1. Reginald John Macdonald (d. 1899), nephew of William Henry Edgcumbe.
2. Adelaide Louisa Vernon married R. J. Macdonald on 12 June 1855.
3. George John Vernon, 5th Lord Vernon (1803–1866).
4. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.