The Winter Villa <1>
Jany 5th 1858.
My dear Henry
If you have received a letter I wrote to you on Saturday last, <2> You will be somewhat prepared for the sad news I have to communicate today – that dear Uncle Harry <3> died on Sunday morning after barely a week’s illness.
I was afraid he was in great danger, from what Uncle Wm <4> told me – & also from what Mr Gaisford <5> had heard from Dr Bence Jones <6> – But as the latest report from Mr Gaisford was that “he was no worse”, I still had hopes.
I received this morning a few lines from Uncle John <7> who says: “It is a comfort to us that at last he suffered little or no pain & was quite happy with Theresa & Caroline <8> by his side. His loss will be felt keenly by a large circle & will be irremediable to some.” – This is most true – for never was any one more beloved in his family & by all his friends. I regret much having seen so little of him the last year or two, & having been prevented going to Melbury <9> as we had settled, two years ago. All my earliest & fondest recollections are associated with him & Melbury.
Will you please thank Constance <10> for a little note just this moment received. & also Matilda <11> for her letter to Ernestine <12> –
Ever dear Henry Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Winter Villa, near Plymouth: estate of the Earls of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. See Doc. No: 07518.
3. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).
4. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
5. Capt Thomas Gaisford (1816–1898), JP, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
6. Henry Bence Jones, MD, FRS (1814–1873), physician and chemist.
7. John George Charles Fox Strangways (1803–1859), MP.
8. Theresa Anna Maria Digby, née Fox Strangways (1814–1874), WHFT’s cousin, and Caroline Leonora Fox Strangways, née Murray, Countess of Ilchester (1788–1819).
9. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
10. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
11. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
12. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (16 Aug 1843-1925), WHFT's niece.