Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Tuesday Novr 21st 1854
My dear Henry
I heard today from Val <2> from Highclere. He was to leave it today for London, where he was to be lodged at Lord Cowper’s <3> No 1 Stanhope St May Fair. He says Lord Fordwich <4> wanted to start for Italy tomorrow; but unless he had any reason for hastening away on account of his chest, which is very delicate, Val was not prepared to hurry himself so much.
I believe Mr Gaisford <5> goes with them, & as he was to meet Mr Grimsby on Thursday, it looks as if they would remain a few days longer.
I think your adversaries in the lawsuit are the most dishonourable, shuffling people I ever heard of; but you can scarcely expect Lawyers to be scientific. I only hope they will be discomfited like the Russians.
I wish you would tell me what your expences are – as if a small sum cd be of any use, I should be so happy to help you – tho’ I fear it would be like a drop of water in the ocean – But still I wish you wd tell me. I hear your enemies are getting up Subscriptions to maintain their unjust cause.
I am so rejoiced at the reinforcements having arrived in the Crimea just in time to assist our worn out troops – How nobly they have all behaved! Poor Tom Strangways <6> is a great loss to the service, & an irreparable one to his only Daughter, who was so devotedly attached to him; many of my pleasantest early associations are connected with him; tho’ I have not often seen him lately. Uncle Harry <7> will feel his death very much –
Ever Yrs affly
Caroline
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
3. George Augustus Frederick Cowper, 6th Earl Cowper (d. 1856)
4. Viscount Fordwich (1806–1856), MP.
5. Capt Thomas Gaisford (1816–1898), JP, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
6. Lt Col Thomas Fox Strangways (1790-1854), a cousin of WHFT's mother, Lady Elisabeth Feilding and the son of her uncle Charles. He was grievously wounded at the battle of Waterloo but recovered unexpectedly and continued his military career. At the rank of Brigadier-General, he was killed in the Crimean War at the Battle of Inkerman on 5 November 1854.
7. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).