The Winter Villa
Stonehouse
Plymouth
May 8th 1858
My dear Henry
I have been a long time writing to thank you for sending me the “ Diary of the Siege of Lucknow <1>” – but I have been so very busy with the Bazaar & other matters, that I have not yet been able to find time – nor have I yet read it through – though what I have read is fearfully interesting. How so many people, let alone women & children, could live through such hourly dangers for so long a time, seems miraculous. For a long time we supposed Mr Fayner had been killed. but some time ago his Father wrote to tell us he had escaped with his wife & child, with the rest of the garrison, under Sir Colin Campbells <2> escort; but a brother of his, an officer in one of the cavalry Regts was murdered by his own men. They cut his head nearly off as he was drinking at a fountain by the wayside.
I hope you have succeeded in letting your ironmines advantageously – I believe that is a much wiser plan than to work them oneself. Pray let me know.
I received a very nice letter from Matilda, <3> written a day or two before their departure from Edinburgh – & I answered more speedily than usual, to Castlehead Cottage, Keswick <4> – as I was anxious to inform them of Valletort’s <5> appointment, as Equerry to the Pe of Wales, before they could see it in the papers. However I dare say I did not succeed in my object. The appointt was offered when I was in London at the time of the Pss’ Royal’s <6> marriage. Col Phipps <7> called privately upon me & made the proposal on the part of the Queen & Prince, <8> saying I probably knew already how highly they thought of him; with other flattering speeches. It certainly is very gratifying that he should have been selected out of so many – as it is not merely honorary, but involves of course a good deal of responsibility. It was not an offer he could well have refused, had he been so inclined – but I think he liked the idea at once. Of course I could give no answer to Col Phipps – & told him I almost feared it might take him away from home too much, considering his Father’s health. But he then said there was no hurry, & that we were to talk it over quietly at home before giving an answer – only he was sent to propose the thing privately, in order that the Qn might not be refused, in the event of his not wishing to accept. We have heard from him twice since his residence at the “White Lodge” – Richmond. I wish you would come & see us now. You would I think admire the Conservatory now – It is really so very pretty – with such lovely Azaleas in it, & all sorts of things. amongst others a creeper has just flowered which Mr Couth <9> calls “Bignonia radians”. I don’t know if he is right – but it is the shape of a Bignonia – only of a lovely lilac colour – a very tender hue. Is the name right? I send you 2 specimens raised fm Mr Fayner’s collection of seeds from the Himmelayas [sic]. The pinky one is sweet scented. Will you come? I expect we shall all go afloat the beginning of next month – the Steamer has been lengthened on purpose – Please write
yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Mrs. James P. Harris [G. Harris], A Lady’s Diary of the Siege of Lucknow Written for the Perusal of Friends at Home (May 15, 1857 to Dec. 28th, 1857) (London: John Murray, 1858).
2. Sir Colin Campbell (1792–1863), Baron Clyde, field marshall; suppressed the Indian mutiny, 1857–1858.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
4. Keswick, Cumberland.
5. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
6. Victoria Adelaide Mary, Princess Royal (1840–1901). She married Frederick III of Prussia on 25 January 1858.
7. Sir Charles Beaumont Phipps (1801–1866), court official; equerry to Queen Victoria, 1846.
8. Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901). Albert (1819–1861), Prince of Saxe–Coburg–Gotha.
9. William Couth, the foreman. [See Doc. No: 08573].