The Winter Villa <1>
Thursday April 14th – 1859
My dear Henry
I was very glad to hear from you again. From the tenor of your remarks, I think you must have seen my letter to Amandier <2> – as I told her that I could have wished a more brilliant parti <3> for Matilda, <4> though I do not recollect whether I said so to you. But I also said that I was not one of those, (as I think she must know,) who think that happiness depends much upon worldly advantages – Quite the reverse – If he is really worthy of Matilda, & has a comfortable fortune, I shall think she has chosen well. – I quite agree with what you say about the harm, & cruelty, frequently committed by Parents – (tho’ less now, I think, than in olden time) – so pray do not imagine that I think you have acted wrongly – As far as I know, you seem to have been most kind, & done the only thing you could, under the circumstances. I only meant that if with all the qualities necessary to ensure a woman’s happiness, & the sympathy, (without which I fear the good qualities would be insufficient), a greater portion of worldly advantages had been combined, I should have been all the more pleased – as I think Matilda calculated to adorn any station. But she may be quite as happy, & as good in a less brilliant sphere. I hope you understand me now?
I am so pleased that you like my letters. I am sorry you were so tired – I fear you are not well – I wish I cd see you.
Now I have a piece of news. Valletort <5> is going to stand for Plymouth! He received the first intimation of the wishes of a large portion of the respectable Electors to that effect, just after attending a lecture by the celebrated Barnum on Humbug! <6> not a bad preparation for Electioneering business. – A Deputation came yesterday with the requisition, & this morning his address appeared – & was placarded over all the walls. He does not at all wish to be in Parlt, but be could not refuse under the circumstances – & many people say they would vote for him if only because he is a gentleman, & in order to turn out the Radical & (formerly bankrupt) White. <7>
Let me hear again soon
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
I will send you a pamphlet Milord <8> published about a week ago, which you may like to see, even if you do not agree.Notes:
1. Winter Villa, near Plymouth: estate of the Earls of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal ].
3. Match.
4. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
5. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
6. Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810–1891), American showman. In 1865 he published Humbugs of the World.
7. James White (1809–1883), MP; a Reformer, sat for Plymouth from April 1857 to April 1859.
8. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.