Stonehouse
March 27th 1856
My dear Henry
I have not heard of You for an age. Where are you? & how fares it with you all in these very trying East winds ? They seem to put a stop to all vegetation – All the new creepers planted on the wall of the new little garden in front of the house seem to be in a state of stagnation – But I hope they will be all the more ornamental bye–& bye. The alentours of the Villa are making great progress; The frame work of the Conservatory roof is up – & I am also improving the promenade publique below the rocks terrace. Milord <1> is Tolerably well considering the weather. Charlie <2> is come back very flourishing, & devoutly hoping < n <3>>ever to see Messing again. I suppose he will not – at least not in the same capacity. I have just received from Nice a box containing 2 small Olive trees, 2 dear little Carombas, & 4 beautiful tiny Cypresses, quite smooth, as they ought to be. They arrived in a perfect state, & looking as fresh as if they had never been uprooted from their native soil. Love to all–
Yr affte
Caroline
I believe you take in the Globe – If so, you will have seen Milord’s letter – The Times <4> of Tuesday does not like it at all – & Wednesday’s Globe <5> has an article in defence. Pray read them.I have had a letter from Amandier <6> since they established themselves at Dunkeld. How delighted they are with it – & no wonder – I dare say the woods are very much grown since we saw them 26 years ago! I advised them to visit Killycrankie wh we did not. –
Ever yrs again C.
Abominable Rè Bomba! It is more difficult for me to leave home than you – So please come.
Notes:
1. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
2. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
3. Obscured by seal.
4. The Times (London).
5. The Globe (London).
6. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].