Torquay
Belton Lodge
Sunday May 11th 1862
My dear Henry
I received no answer to my last letter – so I conclude you had left Laycock Abbey before it arrived there. I risked it in the hopes you might have been able to come to Mt Edgcumbe <1> for two or three days before I left it – but now it is too late – & you are probably far North again by this time. As I am not sure however where you are, I shall send a local paper, which I think you will like to see, addressed to Amandier <2> – because she & the others can read it if they like, in the mean time, supposing you are not yet at home. It contains the account of a dinner given to Val <3> by the Tenantry – & was the first occasion of their meeting him. It must have been excessively trying to him – the whole thing – especially the speech he had to make.
Mr Boger <4> & everyone present were much pleased with what he said, & his manner of saying it – & as far as I am concerned, on reading the speech, it was everything I could wish. He was dreadfully overcome at first – but afterwards recovered himself & spoke very well & audibly – so that Katie, Ernestine & Flora, <5> (who were in the Gallery at the opposite end of the Hall,) could hear all he said. Mr Boger told me since that many of those present were much moved – & he himself could not describe the scene without tears in his eyes.
I am told that Charlie <6> also spoke well – tho’ his was an easy task. He only had to return thanks for the family – & afterwards to propose the health of the “Wives & Sweethearts”.
Ernestine & I came here yesterday, to visit Lady Brownlow; <7> & return to Mount E. on Tuesday. On Thursday we go to Cotehele, to settle there – for a short time at least. I will let you know if we make an further movements.
Our address there is
Cotehele House <8>
Calstock
Tavistock
Don’t omit House – as otherwise the letters go to Cotehele Quay – by Callington – & don’t put Cornwall, because Tavistock is Devon tho’ Cotehele is not. So put no county.
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
[envelope:]
W. H. Fox Talbot Esqre.
Millburn Tower
Edinburgh
N.B.
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl 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. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
4. Deeble Boger, attorney.
5. Lady Katherine Elizabeth Edgcumbe, née Hamilton (1840–1874), wife of William Henry Edgcumbe, Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece. Flora was her husband's niece through his sister, Lady Caroline Sophia Edgcumbe (d. 10 April 1824), who was the first wife of Reginald George Macdonald (d. 1873): The Honorable Flora Isabella Clementina (1822-1899) was Maid of Honor and later Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria.
6. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
7. Lady Brownlow, widow of John Cust (1779–1853), 1st Earl Brownlow.
8. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property