Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Wednesday Feby 19th 1846
My dear Henry
You must not expect me at Laycock Abbey this time, as I shall stay here till the last moment; so you had better send the Prince of Wales <2> to Sackville St <3> where I am going in the first instance – My Waiting begins the 24th & on the 26th there is a Drawingroom – which ensures being in London I conclude for two or three days – but after that there are rumours of Osborne House <4> – so you must let me have it in time to take with me. I am delighted it has succeeded so well – Have you not also done Princess Alice? <5>
You did not say you were charmed with my list of flowers as I expected – But of course you were. Give my love to Constance <6> & thank her for her letter of family news – Would it was more satisfactory! Aunt Mary <7> wrote from Melbury <8> offering herself here on the 23rd so unlucky! I was obliged to put her off & beg she wd come after my Waiting instead. I have heard nothing of Mamma for some days –
yr affte Sister
Caroline.
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe
2. Edward VII (1841–1910), King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British dominions and emperor of India from 1901. [For the talbotype of the Prince of Wales see Doc. No: 05464, Doc. No: 05560, Doc. No: 05886].
3. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT
4. Cowes, Isle of Wight. Purchased in 1845 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a retreat from court life.
5. Alice Maud Mary (1843–1878), daughter of Queen Victoria.
6. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
7. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.
8. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there