The Winter Villa <1>
Stonehouse
Plymouth
Christmas Day 1855
My dear Henry
I reproach myself for never having answered either of your two last letters; of the 23rd Novr & 17th Decr. But if you only knew how busy I have been! – furnishing & getting into this house – & not only that – but trying to get the workmen out of the hitherto unfinished rooms, which I was preparing for Rim & his Bride <2> on their first visit to us, I had to be continually preaching & persecuting the painters & carpenters. At last it was all ready the very day they came – & very pretty too. The room is papered with what looks like a lovely green morné antique – & the Bed & window curtains are muslim over pink. It was rather lucky you did not come at the time you first thought of doing so – for we were then in a most uncomfortable transition State – but I hope & beg you will pay us a visit later – as you suggest. We are now settled here – & you must direct Stonehouse Plymouth. I have not heard from Amandier for ages. I hope she has recovered from the indisposition you mentioned; but I cannot think the excessive severity of the Scotch climate can agree with any of you. The 3 days I spent at Torquay were bitterly cold – even there – but the weather has now resumed its’ wonted mildness – with gales from S. W. & heavy showers which I must say I infinitely prefer to cold.
We went over to Mount Edgcumbe <3> yesterday morning, to see the usual distribution of beef & loaves on Christmas Eve. Ernestine <4> took the opportunity of having a good long walk – & reported that it was most delightful down near the Lea on the South Terrace.
The Sound is enlivened by the presence of many Ships & steamers of war, just returned from the Baltic or Black Sea. I hear that Captn Key, <5> in the Amphion, is arrived at Sheeness <6> – but he has not written from thence – tho’ he did from the Baltic, – Val <7> has not been long returned from paying some visits at Hatfield &c & Charlie <8> has been home a very few days – Milord <9> is pretty well – & much less rheumatic on this side of the water. What a long journey that was for your Charles <10> to take all by himself – & yet it seems a wonderfully quick one. Pray tell me how you like No 4 Athole Crescent.
I hope Constance & the Girls <11> & Amandier are all well – Ernestine wrote to Matilda a short time ago. Pray give the all my best love – & very good wishes for a Merry Christmas & a happy New Year – & the same to You, my dear Henry
Yr very affe Sister
Caroline
You asked me what Milord thought of politics? He then said he did not think there would be another campaign – but whether he is still of the same opinion, I know not.
Notes:
1. Winter Villa, near Plymouth: estate of the Earls of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Reginald John Macdonald (d. 1899), nephew of William Henry Edgcumbe and Adelaide Louisa Vernon. [See Doc. No: 07131].
3. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
4. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
5. Sir Astley Cooper Key (1821–1888), admiral.
6. Probably intended as Sheerness.
7. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
8. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
9. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
10. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
11. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife and Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter, Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter and Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.