Mt Edgcumbe <1>
Sunday April 17th 1836
My dear Henry
I was very glad indeed to get your letter this morning, not having heard a word from your [sic] for so long, & not even knowing where you were - thank you much for the extract from Mamma's <2> letter - it was a bright idea sending it, as I had had none since the date of 19th March, from Horatia <3> - Both Papa <4> & Mamma have quite left off writing to me, & I have no idea now, where I ought to direct - pray tell me if you know - They have had most perilous adventures, & were unwise I think in being in such a hurry to leave Nice before the weather was sufficiently settled - I shall be very anxious to hear again from them. - I was in hopes you would have come to see us here, when you left Constance <5> at Southampton - You might still have time, if when you go back for her; I dare say she would like to stay a little longer with her Sisters, as she must be happier with them at present, than anywhere else - & it would be nothing for you to get into the Steam-Boat at Southampton, or Portsmouth, I believe, which would land you at Plymouth in 12 hours - The leaves are just beginning to come out, & everybody says this place is a perfect paradise in Spring - Perhaps it might do Constance good too & soothe her mind if she was to come with you - at any rate it would be a change of scene, & perhaps relieve her spirits, though she would be perfectly quiet & alone - I am very glad the weaning has been so successful - Bimbo <6> will be delighted to see you & Ela <7> again - He said today that Uncle Henry lived at Laycock Abbey - Ela will have so much space to walk about in here, without meeting people or fear of infection - Turn this over in your mind & let me know quickly to what you incline. - If Mr Montgomerie <8> is with you, as he said he perhaps should, [sic] tell him I shall write today or tomorrow, & make him give you his direction at Paris. - If he is gone to Paris my letter addressed Addio
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
W. Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773-1846), WHFT's mother.
3. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810-1851), WHFT's half-sister.
4. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780-1837), Royal Navy; WHFT's step-father.
5. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811-1880), WHFT's wife.
6. William Henry Edgcumbe, 'Val', 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832-1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT's nephew 'Bimbo'.
7. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835-1893), WHFT's 1st daughter.
8. Rev George Stephen Molyneux Montgomerie(1790-1850), close friend of Talbot family, artist, Rector of Garboldisham, near Thetford, Norfolk.