Farrance’s Hotel
Belgrave Street
S.W.
June 21st 1860
My dear Henry
I had been long intending to write to Amandier, <1> & had also thought of addressing myself to you, when your welcome letter arrived this morning, returned from Stonehouse. <2> I was not sure whether you were still in the Lake Scenery, which must be excessively damp & unwholesome in this dripping weather.
I hope you will not delay coming to town, as I have been here already eleven days. I do not think my stay will be long – tho’ it is indefinite – as I expect Ld Mt E. <3> to come up, & he has not yet left home – besides I have a dentist’s job, which must keep me a week, anyhow.
Still, don’t lose time, that I may enjoy a little of your Society; a thing I never do now, as you behave so ill, & never (although endowed with powers of locomotion) will you to come to see us – I am sure I have entreated you often enough – I am quite sorry your Bignonia pieta is going on so well, as you will have that inducement the less for visiting us.
I envy you going to the Pyrenees.
Garibaldi <4> seems to be getting on famously – The letters from Palermo are very interesting to us – as we know so well all the places mentioned. What a cunning old fox L. Napoléon <5> is! Did you read that amusing & impertinent article in Monday’s Times, <6> abt the Baden Congress, Conference, & the Grand Dss Hamilton <7> coyly eluding the Emperor’s visit, &c –
My love to all – write & tell me when you are coming –
Yr affte
Caroline
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq-re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
2. Winter Villa, near Plymouth: estate of the Earls of Mt Edgcumbe.
3. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
4. Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882), Italian patriot.
5. Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte (1808–1873), President of the French Republic.
6. The Times (London).
7. Probably Louisa Jane Hamilton, née Russell, Duchess of Abercorn (1812–1902).