Farrance’s Hotel
Belgrave St
S. W.
3rd April 1861
My dear Henry
I have not heard from you for ages – but I trust you will not fail to let me see you on your way through Town. It is quite dreadful how little I see of you now – You must really let me know beforehand what day you are coming up, & where you are to be found – (Upon this subject you are always as mysterious as a conspirator) you must arrange to come & dine with us – or something or other. I am sure you would like to see the relics of Sir J. Franklin <1> at the United Service Institution <2> – I have got a ticket, & can take you in. I have been there once & only paid a hurried visit. I want to go again very much – They are most exceedingly interesting. There are many other very interesting things besides – A lock of Lord Nelson’s <3> hair – a large gun fished up from the Mary Rose, <4> sunk in Henry 8th’s time, &c &c &c
Your will be glad to hear that Katie & her Babe <5> are going on quite well – Val <6> went down to Mount E. <7> yesterday, to muster his Volunteers for a grand Inspection of the Garrison by the Duke of Cambridge. <8> Charlie <9> has just finished his duty at the Tower – he complained of feeling rather sick of the Tower after a week’s residence there (I mean without leave during that time) – upon which I thought proper to recall Sir Walter Raleigh <10> to his mind!
His Battalion has moved now to Windsor, & he is on leave for 3 weeks.
Please answer me, & say when you are coming. Have you written or published anything lately?
Yr Affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Sir John Franklin (1786–1847), arctic explorer.
2. The Royal United Service Institution, Whitehall Yard, London; established in 1830.
3. Viscount Horatio Nelson (1758–1805), vice-admiral.
4. Built, 1509–1511 and sank, 1545. The hull remains were raised in 1982 and are now on display at the Portsmouth Dockyard.
5. Lady Katherine Elizabeth Edgcumbe, née Hamilton (1840–1874), wife of William Henry Edgcumbe and Alberta Louisa Florence Edgcumbe (1861–1941).
6. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
7. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
8. George William Frederick Charles (1819–1904), 2nd Duke of Cambridge.
9. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
10. Sir Walter Raleigh ( ca.1552–1618), military and naval commander and author; in 1618 he was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London, prior to his execution.