Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Feby 9th 1862
My dear Henry
Mr Boger <2> asked me to forward the enclosed to you. One paper is an explanation, which he had copied for you to keep – as a reference – the other, as you see, requires your signature in the proper place. Ld Henry Kerr <3> has already signed it. Will you please do the same, & return it to me? I have been intending to write to you, & also to Amandier; <4> but have really had no time. Please thank her for her letter, & say I hope to write very soon.
I have given up taking a house in Town for this year – for good & weighty reasons – & have thoughts of going abroad perhaps – but this must not be mentioned out loud – as I don’t want the Servants to know anything, till I have quite made up my mind about it.
Do write me your ideas on the subject – I hope you received from Ernestine <5> a specimen of Bougainvillea & of a lovely Acacia – both from the poor Winter Villa – I staid there two nights on my return from London – which I had been longing to do.
Love to all –
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Harriot & Mr Mundy <8> have paid us a visit – & went away last Tuesday
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Deeble Boger, attorney.
3. Probably Schomberg Henry Kerr, Marquis of Lothian (1833–1900), politician.
4. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
5. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
6. Victoria Frederica Caroline Edgcumbe, (1859–1920), the eldest child of William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’, and Lady Katherine Elizabeth Edgcumbe, née Hamilton (1840–1874), wife of William Henry Edgcumbe.
7. Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792), painter, collector and writer.
8. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law; and her husband, William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT’s brother-in-law.