Wednesday Dec^r 23^rd 1863

My dear Henry

I arrived from Osborne ^<1> yesterday evening, & shall be very glad to see you when you can come. I have an Appoint^t with the Dentist at about 2 tomorrow – but perhaps you could come before that – If not, will you come & dine with me, or have a tea with meat – abt ½ past seven – or 8 – I don’t care which. Or will you come on Christmas day to dine? But I think tomorrow will be best – or both. I think you will end by coming to Rome with us! I meant to have started on Tuesday, so as to arrive at Paris for the Jour de l’An ^<2> – but I don’t think it will be possible.

Let me hear from you

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

Jane ^<3> left Town for Merthyr Mawr ^<4> this morn^g but intends coming back Monday or Tuesday.
Ernestine ^<5> is still at Beaudesert – but I expect her on Saturday, with Charlie ^<6> –

---

Notes:

1. Osborne House, Isle of Wight. Purchased in 1845 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a retreat from court life.

2. New Year’s Day.

3. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874).

4. Merthyr Mawr, Glamorgan, on River Ogwr.

5. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.

6. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.