Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Monday July 5th 1852
My dear Henry
I am very glad to find that your Talbotype business <2> is drawing to a close – & I only hope there will be no mistake about it, or fraud in the transaction – or anything that anybody can take hold of afterwds – to your detriment.
I should like extremely to have a Fan Palm – but should like still better a Date Palm. Do you think one wd grow here in a very sheltered spot – & has Price got any? & would they be more expensive than the Fan? Of course I shd be glad to introduce both sorts here. Amandier & Matilda <3> seem very happy – & are both very well. The latter was delighted with “the Ferret <4>” – the first man of war she had ever been in. I send you a lovely flower I have just discovered some large patches of near the house – Is it a thing I got at Veitch’s <5> with you? & what is it’s name?
The Admiral inspected Kim’s <6> Ship on Saturday, & was pleased to compliment him. I believe he sails tonight –
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. The battle over patent rights to the calotype - see Doc. No: 06632.
3. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family; and Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3rd daughter.
4. HMS Ferret.
5. James Veitch, jnr (1815–1869), nurseryman & botanist. [See Doc. No: 06698].
6. See also Doc. No: 07205.