The Winter Villa <1>
March 15th 1858
My dear Henry
Alas! We have had such a cloudy morning we have not been able to catch one glimpse of the sun – Is it not vexatious! Such a rare event! – & when it does occur, not to be able to see anything of it, is too tiresome. I hope you have had better luck at Laycock. All the morning there have been driving, brownish looking clouds over the sky – with lighter glimpses between – but no sky visible for a moment – & I believe for a long time we would not allow that the encreasing gloom was owing to the Eclipse – but attributed it only to the dark clouds. At last it grew suddenly so very dark, that it was impossible not to perceive that something uncommon was taking place. The Landscape & sea looked leaden – & the gloom inside the house was even more observable – It was like a dark November day in London. Milord <2> was roused earlier than usual in order that he might look out – He thought the light had quite an unnatural look. Of course the stars had not a chance of shewing themselves. I have not yet ascertained whether the little birds went to bed. The greatest darkness appeared to be from between ½ p. 12 & ¼ to one. But it unfortunately lasted such a very short time – I mean the darkest period, that we had scarcely time to enjoy it. Pray tell me how the Eclipse behaved at Laycock. Milord says Lord Talbot <3> wrote to him some time ago about that deed, & he is much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken about it. I wonder what it contained? Amandier <4> always fancies that you ought to be Ld Shrewsbury – but I cannot fancy that, because the female line intervened, I think. Tell me how it was? Do come & pay us a visit now you are so near; & see our improvements – Will you? Ld & Ly Clanwilliam <5> are coming on Wednesday for a week – You used to know him so well once. I like them both so much. She is rather an invalid just now – but very pleasant. Their Son, Ld Gilford, <6> has just been severely wounded at Canton – & promoted to be Commander in consequence. His arm was broken by a gingall ball, as large as an apple – a very bad fracture. Their youngest Son is also out there – a middy <7> – such a dear little Boy! Now please do come. Your wishes have in a manner been anticipated with regard to a picture of Yeh’s capture – tho’ not by a Wilkie – Val <8> has made such a capital pen & ink sketch of the scene, I long to shew it to you.
I have not seen the article on Wiltshire in the Quarterly. Will you tell me the proper name of the beautiful kind of Alamandas – with large clustering yellow flowers – Is it Schottii, or what is it?
Yrs affly
Caroline
Notes:
1. Winter Villa, near Plymouth: estate of the Earls of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
3. Henry John Chetwynd Talbot, 18th Earl Shrewsbury, 5th Baron Talbot (1803–1868).
4. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
5. Richard Charles Francis Christian Meade, 3rd Earl of Clanwilliam (1795–1879), diplomat, and Lady Elizabeth, née Herbert.
6. Richard James Meade, Lord Gilford (b. 1832); he was William Henry Edgcmbe’s schoolfellow at Maisemore. [See Doc. No: 09565].
7. A midshipman.
8. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
9. Sir Astley Cooper Key (1821–1888), admiral; in 1857 he went out to China, capturing Canton in December 1857 and ‘with his own hands’, Yeh, the Chinese governor, whilst attempting to escape.