Queen’s Hotel
Norwood
June 30th 1856
My dear Henry
I wanted to have answered your letter a day or two ago – but I did not know what to say about your kind proposal of making you a visit. I am very sorry you did not come & see the Crystal Palace <1> during our Séjour of 3 weeks – it would have been so pleasant to have studied the innumerable interesting objects with you. Now however we are going to Farrance’s (Belgrave Street) <2> today – in the cool of the evg – We shall probably stay there a week – or a fortnight – I can’t yet say which – after that, I shd be very glad to come & see you if still convenient, while Milord <3> wends his way to the Yacht at Southamptn Let me know if this plan is likely to suit – If so, When the time draws nearer, I can perhaps be more definite in my explanations – but you know my plans must always be en l’air. <4>
Milord has certainly been the better for the change to this place, He has been to the Palace many times – & enjoyed his visit, & the Concert much . – Charlie’s <5> examination is to take place tomorrow at Sandhurst. I cannot help feeling a little anxious. Valletort <6> has made such a good sketch of one of Niobe’s <7> Sons; in the C. Palace. Ask Constance & Amandier, <8> with my love, if they have any little Commissions in London.
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq-
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Sydenham Hill, south London.
2. See Doc. No: 06819
3. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
4. Up in the air.
5. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew. [See Doc. No: 07265].
6. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
7. Queen of Thebes, wife of Amphion and daughter of Tantalus and Dione.
8. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife and Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].