Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Feby – 9th 1853
My dear Henry
I received a letter from Mr Gaisford <2> too, on Monday, giving me the sad account of poor Jane’s <3> loss. I enclose it as you may like to see some details. I knew he was in a very precarious state & was rather fearful his mind might be permanently affected after such a severe attack, but I did not think the end was so near – nor did they, as you will see. It is a most melancholy event for them all – & I think they will feel it more bye–&–bye than even now. We are also deprived of a visit from dear Aunt Mary <4> – Lord Mt E. <5> as well as I had set our hearts upon seeing her, & she had promised to come from Melbury, when this event happened; Both she & Mary <6> have felt it very much, & are gone straight home.
I am so sorry for poor old Mr Matthews <7> – he must be a loss. Please return Mr Gaisford’s letter – I do not want those from Carclew. <8> – Ld Mt E. suffered very much from sciatica & all sorts of aches since the change to cold – I think he is better today. Captn Key <9> came yesterday – He always cheers him. Mrs Edgcumbe <10> & some of her children are expected today. We have a heavy fall of snow today – The whole country is white & the sea consequently black. I enclose a specimen of Cassia, flowering in the open air without any protection, on the wall of the Orangerie.
I am so glad Amandier <11> is able to leave her room: but she must be extra prudent in this weather – Please tell her so with my love – Love to all – our small Dove grows fast.
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Capt Thomas Gaisford (1816–1898), JP, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
3. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874). The death of her husband, Dr John Nicholl (1797–1853), MP; see also Doc. No: 06729.
4. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.
5. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
6. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795–1861), WHFT’s cousin.
7. <Rev John Matthews, curate of Lacock, ca. 1850?>
8. Carclew, Cornwall, 3 mi N of Penryn: seat of Sir Charles Lemon
9. Sir Astley Cooper Key (1821–1888), admiral.
10. Presumably a relation of Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe.
11. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].