21 Chesham Place S. W.
Monday June 10th 1867
My dear Henry
I take it very ill that you never answered a letter I wrote you about a month ago – containing 2 specimens of flowers of which I particularly wanted to know the names. They were growing in Lady Brownlow’s <1> garden at Torquay – & the yellow one especially, was a charming little flower, which I want to introduce at Cotehele <2> – but cannot, for want of the name. I directed to Edinburgh but I know the letter was sent on to Laycock. Your will like to hear that the Aemone Appenina, both blue & white, wh I brought myself from Rome 3 years ago, bloomed well at Cotehele this year – & the pink Spring Cyclamens from the same place, (the Cork valleys beyond Monte Mario, are come up well – tho’ they have not yet flowered. I was so sorry to hear of Rosamond’s <3> illness – but she was convalescent at the last accounts – & is, I hope, now quite recovered. When do you go abroad? If you go to the Pyrennees You will probably find Val <4> there – as I believe it is quite settled that Katie <5> is to go to Eaux Bonnes, for a course of water drinking. She has been most strongly recommended to try the waters – tho’ some people think they sometimes do harm.
Val came over, to our great joy, on Friday – & is today gone down to Mount Edgcumbe <6> for the week, taking Ernestine <7> with him. Katie is at St Germain, which they like very much – & her Sister Lady Durham <8> is with her. Charlie <9> is also there, & at Paris, for a few days.
I heard from him today, He describes St Germaine as a very pretty place. Katie, he thinks, pretty well.
Val was at the great Review – He describes the prettiest thing there as the Regiment of Chasseurs de la Garde à cheval <10> – with a great deal of white abt their uniforms – & Every man mounted on a white Arab. When they swept by, au pas de charge, it was like a snow cloud! Today is lovely – & I envy him & Ernestine Now mind & behave better, & write to me; & tell me about Jane. <11>
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Lady Brownlow, wife John Cust (1779–1853), 1st Earl Brownlow.
2. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
3. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
4. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
5. Lady Katherine Elizabeth Edgcumbe, née Hamilton (1840–1874), wife of William Henry Edgcumbe.
6. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
7. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
8. Beatrice Frances Lambton, née Hamilton, Lady Durham (1835–1871), wife of the 2nd Earl of Durham.
9. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
10. Hunters with horse of the Imperial Guard.
11. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).