24 Charles St
July 15th 1863
My dear Henry
I was very sorry to find you were not coming to Town as you had proposed – & I see by your letter that you had not mine received mine when you wrote it.
My season of this house ends today – but I am trying to get it for a Year – if not, for 3 weeks longer I may certainly keep it.
I go to Osborne <1> on Saturday till the 28th for Lady Caledon <2> who is prevented taking her Waiting – & it will be convenient to come back here to pack up & pay bills, &c &c after that – about the 6th August, I intend proposing myself to Melbury <3> for a few days en route to Cotehele <4> – Could you not do the same? You might do your business at Lacock first, after the Assizes. How very charming it wd be to see the dear, beautiful, loved old place once more, & with you!! & how it wd please Uncle Wm <5> whose health is now so precarious – & who is always talking about, & wanting to see you! Turn it over in your mind.
In great haste Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Osborne House, Isle of Wight. Purchased in 1845 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a retreat from court life.
2. Possibly Jane Frederica Alexander, Countess of Caledon, wife of the 3rd Earl of Caledon.
3. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
4. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
5. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.