Cotehele House <1>
Calstock
Tavistock
Jany – 18th 1874
My dear Henry
I was much grieved, a few days ago, at hearing of the sad termination of dear Jane’s <2> illness.
Of course you have heard all about it long ago.
A letter from Theresa Nicholl <3> a very few days before, had prepared me for the worst – & then Florence Nicholl, Rice’s wife, wrote to tell me of the event.
It is a great mercy that she does not appear to have suffered any pain during all those months – & the end was quite peaceful. Tina <4> & Theresa have watched over her most tenderly ever since her first attack – & one of them was always with her day & night. Lucy <5> has been an additional anxiety to them – for she has been, & is still, very ill in her usual way – with terrible cough &c. – I think the best thing for them now, would be to go abroad – but I have not heard what they intend doing. – Rice is on the Gold Coast, with the Rifle Brigade. –
I hope you are all well at Bath? & that Charles <6> is better. He must be terribly dullified at Weymouth.
Let me have a line from you soon. Love to all
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
2. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).
3. Theresa Nicholl, daughter of Jane Harriet Nicholl.
4. Christiana Judy Nicholl, of Merthyr Mawr.
5. Lucy Mary Nicholl (1824-1876), of Merthyr Mawr.
6. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.