3 Chesham Place
S.W.
Monday 25th July 1870
My dear Henry
We are preparing to leave London – & we want to know if you & Constance <1> would like to have us for a small visit, on our way.
We propose leaving London either next Saturday, or the following Monday – & if it is not inconvenient, & would be otherwise agreable [sic], we would propose coming on one or other of those days – for a couple of days – Supposing this suits you & Constance, & supposing I personally could not make ready by Saturday, would you like to have Ernestine <2> on that day, & I would follow on Monday – supposing always that she could get ready – which I suppose she could! I fear we could only stay Monday & Tuesday, as we are in a great hurry to get to Cotehele, <3> for 2 or 3 days before the grand field day with Volunteers at Mt Edgcumbe <4> – & therefore cannot propose to make a longer stay – but perhaps all this may not suit you – & if so please say so, & we will try & come later, on our way to pay some other visits. –
Please write by return of Post – or telegraph – & if there is any hitch or difficulty, I will telegraph an answer.
Yr affte
Caroline
Notes:
1. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
2. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
3. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
4. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.