Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Monday Septr 18th 1865
My dear Henry
The Palm arrived quite safe at the Winter Villa <2> on Saturday. I have not yet seen it, but am going over there soon.
I rather expected to hear from Amandier <3> this morning – but have had no letter.
My little Grandson <4> is to be christened this week. His godfathers are Lord Abercorn & Ld Clanwilliam, <5> & his first Godmother is Lady Lansdowne. <6>
Just at the last, when Val <7> saw the Prince of Wales <8> in Town en passant, <9> he proposed that the Princess <10> shd be Godmother. So there are two to look after him. He is to be called Piers Alexander Hamilton. Val found him much grown, & Katie <11> very well – only rather weakened by the excessive heat. What a pity she was not allowed to be here, all this lovely summer! You have not sent me the proper names, & native Country of the Palm? <12> What sort of thing is Hedychium? I think that was how you spelt it, but I have not the letter in the room, to refer to. The Bamboo in the upper Garden is a sight! The most beautiful, graceful thing you ever saw – waving it’s long green hair over the path way! my love to all,
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Winter Villa, near Plymouth: estate of the Earls of Mt Edgcumbe.
3. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal ].
4. Piers Alexander Hamilton Edgcumbe (1865–1944).
5. James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn (1811–1885) and Richard Charles Francis Christian Meade, 3rd Earl of Clanwilliam (1795–1879), diplomat.
6. Emily Jane Mercer Elphinstone de Flahault (Baroness Nairne), was the 2nd wife of the 4th Marquess of Lansdowne.
7. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’; was Lord of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales from 1862 to 1866.
8. Albert Edward (1841–1910), acceded as King Edward VII, 1901.
9. In passing.
10. Alexandra of Denmark (1844–1925).
11. Lady Katherine Elizabeth Edgcumbe, née Hamilton (1840–1874), wife of William Henry Edgcumbe.
12. See Doc. No: 09016.