24 Charles St
Thursday 1st June 1865
My dear Henry
I thought you were a long time answering my letter – but it was worth while waiting for such good news. I am so glad dear Matilda <1> has got so well over her troubles, (as Amandier <2> informs me), that she has another little boy to keep Jack <3> company. The same day I got your letter, I met the Duchess of Buccleuch <4> at Lady Cowper’s <5> Ball, & told her the news. You can’t think how kindly she spoke of Matilda. She said she liked her so much, that she was so pretty & clever & nice; all of which we know, though it is always pleasant to hear one’s belongings appreciated by strangers. She also told me that Mr Clark <6> was expected in London that same evening, upon some very important business – I hardly thought he would have been able to leave Matilda under the circumstances – but I suppose it is a proof that she was going on quite well that he did come – for we found his card yesterday when we came home from driving. I was very sorry to have missed him.
The launch <7> went off admirably – Ernestine <8> looked very nice, all in white, with a dark blue sash & bows to correspond in her white bonnet, for the honor of the Navy! The bottle of wine was ornamented with beautiful flowers, & she cut the small cord which liberated the mighty vessel, with a splendid chisel & mallet which were afterwards given to her to keep in a carved oak box – made of the remains of the old Shannon, <9> which fought that celebrated action with the Chesapeake, in or abt the year 1813: –
It was a most exciting moment certainly – Just as Ernestine pronounced the words “Success & prosperity to the Lord Warden”! & gave a single blow with the mallet, the two weights on each side, sustained by a rope in connexion with the slender string, fell, & knocked away the “Dog shores,” the only two remaining props – & away went [illegible deletion] the “Lord Warden”, with a smooth & majestic motion, till she plunged into the waters of the Medway. Her departure was hailed with loud cheers, & waving of hats & handkerchiefs – the band playing “Rule Britannia;” – & the moment she touched the water, God save the Queen was struck up. I wish you could have been there. I am sure you would have been much interested. The superintendant of Chatham Dockyard is a great friend of our’s, having been Flag Captain at Plymouth formerly – Captn Houston Stewart <10> – & the Comptroller of the Navy, Adl Robinson is also a friend – & that we were much fêtées & made much of. There was a splendid breakfast afterwds at which a number of persons were most hospitably entertained, & Captn Stewart gave Prosperity to the “Lord Warden”, & to the lady who christened her – & afterwds the health of the real Lord Warden <11> – Both toasts were duly honoured.
You have not told me when you are coming up to London? I suppose you are very busy with some new invention.
Vivi Digby <12> is to be married on Tuesday next, at St George’s. Tell Amandier I intend writing to her very soon – please thank her for her letter about Matilda, & give my love to all your ladies. I suppose Amandier & Rosamond <13> are arrived by this time.
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
2. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
3. John Henry Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Jack’ (1861–1902), WHFT’s grandson.
4. Lady Charlotte Anne, Duchess of Buccleuch, neé Tgilhyne ( ca.1811–1895).
5. Lady Emily Mary Cowper, née Lamb.
6. John Gilchrist-Clark (1830–1881), Scottish JP; WHFT’s son-in-law.
7. The launch of H.M.S. Lord Warden. [See Doc. No: 08973].
8. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
9. H.M.S. Shannon engaged and captured U.S.S. Chesapeake on the 1 June 1813 off the coast of Boston.
10. Sir Houston Stewart (1791–1875), admiral of the fleet.
11. Granville George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville (1815–1891), statesman.
12. Probably related to Theresa Anna Maria Digby, née Fox Strangways (1814–1874), WHFT’s cousin.
13. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
14. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.