Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Sunday Septr 15th 1861
My dearest Henry
I send you a local newspaper which I am sure will interest you, as it contains a very true account of the one <2> we mourn.
It is really very well written, considering that it is by a man of no very great education – But it comes from the heart – for the writer had been greatly benefitted <sic> by him, & was sincerely attached to him. It might therefore be supposed to be partial – but I do not think it is – so many letters of condolence we have had from all kinds of persons, taking the same view of his character; & certainly the whole neighbourhood have good cause to regret him as a benefactor.
On Wednesday we paid the last sad duties to him in Maker Church Yard – we were all able to go – & the immense crowd assembled shewed the utmost good feeling. There were none of those odious hired things ones generally sees – but an open car constructed by our own people was used, & drawn by his own 4 horses, led by grooms.
The mourners followed on foot.
The grave is in a beautiful sunny spot overlooking the blue sea.
Dear Henry I tell you all these sad details because I feel sure you will like to know them – & so will Constance & Amandier. <3> If I can, I will send another "Morning News", containing the account. Mr Gaisford <4> wrote to you the next day – They went abroad I believe yesterday – to Venice.
I have had many very kind letters – but none more kind, beautiful & genuine, than one from the Queen <5> –
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
I will send you also Val’s <6> Address to the Electors –Notes:
1. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
2. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
3. 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 ].
4. Capt Thomas Gaisford (1816–1898), JP, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
5. Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901).
6. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.