Farrance’s Hotel <1>
Saturday Feby 16th 1861
My dear Henry
We came up to Town Thursday, after a prosperous journey, although we made two false starts before we were fairly en route. We attempted crossing over with the carriage & horses in the paddle Boat, in order to be driven to the Station – but it was blowing so hard we could not manage it, & had to put back – Thereby losing the morning Express, & causing diversion to the “Queen Victoria” Steamer, which now stands high & dry on Cremill beach, looking like an enormous monster, towering above everything & seemingly about to topple over, & crush all within it’s reach. It was raining too, & what the sailors call very wild weather – so we next attempted going round by Torpoint, & over the Steam bridge – but after going a certain distance we came to a place under Cliff where a new causeway was making. Which effectually prevented any further progress. We therefore went back again to the beach – & adopted the only method left – that of an open boat. However the tide was low & the weather much moderated, although worse was foretold with the flood – & with 4 hands we got safely over, We found Milord <2> a little better – but he has been very poorly lately – with pain in the face from rheumatism. I went to see Christiana & Theresa Nicholl <3> yesterday – they are staying at old Mr Frank’s house – & to day I called on Charlotte, Isabella & Emma, <4> who are all at Chapman’s Hotel Cavendish Sqre but they were out. This trial is a very disagreable business, they say that Charlotte gave her evidence so admirably, that the whole court was impressed with by it – Judge & all – in the Cross Examination she never varied in the least. I am sorry to finish in a hurry – but Post is going –
Yrs affte
Caroline
Monday 18th
After all, this was too late for Saturday’s Post. Christiana & Theresa have just been here – They seem to think that the trial is going on well – G. Traherne <5> has told many falsehoods.
Notes:
1. Farrance’s Hotel, Belgrave Street, London.
2. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
3. Christiana Judy Nicholl, of Merthyr Mawr, and Theresa Nicholl.
4. Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin, Isabella Catherine Franklen, née Talbot (1804–1874), Emma Thomasina Llewelyn, née Talbot (1806–1881), photographer; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
5. George Traherne, nephew of the Reverend John Montgomerie Traherne.