Cotehele <1>
Dec. 10
My dear Henry
I know that you will like to hear from me from this place where there are so many objects of common interest between you & me. It is such a pleasure to me to be with Caroline <2> that I awake every morning with a sense of delight which I have not felt for a very long time. This House has had a great deal done to it since I saw it last & every thing meets with my approbation, as I think it would yours. The antiquity being undisturbed & yet all so comfortable & liveable.
Caroline desires me to answer your question about her plans as to Cannes–<3>settled idea on the subject all will depend so much on circumstances which she cannot see into at present but she wishes to go & thinks it would probably do her much good. I am sorry to say that she is very suffering from neuralgic pains in her hands – it is really quite sad to see how painful they are. She has had the Plymouth Doctor but I wish she would consult some one who has made Neuralgia a study, it is quite worth a journey to London for a good opinion & advice.
I shall write again & tell you what I see out I have only seen the inside of the House we have had such bad weather.
How long do you stay at Lacock? I never hear any thing of you but from Edward <4> – what will he do when you depart!
Believe me your very affte
Jane H. Nicholl
Notes:
1. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
2. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
3. The basis for dating this letter - see Doc. No: 09295.
4. Rev Edward Powell Nicholl (1831–1902), Vicar of Lacock from 1864 until his resignation in 1870; photographer.