Mount Edgcumbe
Devonport
Septr 26th 1866
My dear Henry,
I have not had a minute to write, otherwise I should have answered Your letter <1> a day or two ago. We have given up Scotland for this year – having so much to do at home – & as Ernestine <2> is anxious to remain at Cotehele <3> for some time, to try & really settle ourselves, I am nothing loth to do so. I think we shall certainly be at home at the time you mention – the 9th Octr or later – & if you would come then, we should be so very glad. Perhaps You will bring Rosamond <4> as you hinted you might – She has never yet seen Cotehele, & wd I am sure admire the place. I would not advise Amandier <5> to come now, for the unusually wet season would not suit her, I fear – The woods get so damp, that I fear she would feel the effects even in the house – & I hear from Rosamond that she has not been well lately. Let us hear. We may be asked to Vt Eliot <6> for a day or two – being such near neighbours – but that must not in any way interfere with Your visit – as we can almost always go there at any time – only let me know.
Emily Murray <7> lunched here on Sunday – & is now gone on to Carclew. <8> She was extremely lively & amusing – even more so than usual – without over doing it. She fixed herself at the Rl Hotel at Plymouth for 3 or 4 days, for the sake of a very pretty young woman, grand daughter of Mrs Siddons, who was going to make her début there. You know how enthusiastic she is, when she takes up anyone; & she thought that by interesting her Cousin, ( Admiral Drummond <9> Superintt of the Dockyard) in her behalf, she might ensure her a good first night – in which benevolent object she, I believe, succeeded.
We made acquaintance with Adl Drummond, yesterday, at the launch of the Dryad – Sister ship to the Amazon that went down at Sea, the other day. He seems a most agreable, charming man.
Val & Charlie <10> both left us yesterday morning for Bowhill – where Katie <11> is still staying with Lady Dalkeith. <12> I suppose she will remain there till she goes to Cannes. We return to Cotehele on Saturday.
Yrs affte Sister
Caroline
How very unfortunate Kit’s daughters <13> were – in not being allowed to land at the Azores – the first time he has ever taken them anywhere. Are you going to the Wedding? Lady Dunraven’s Eldest daughter, Ly Augusta Quin <14> is also going to be married next month, to Mr Pendarves Vivian.
Notes:
1. Letter not located.
2. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
3. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
4. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
5. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
6. Edward Granville Eliot, later, 3rd Earl of St Germans (1798–1877).
7. Amelia ‘Emily’ Matilda Murray (1795–1884), author.
8. Carclew, Cornwall, 3 mi N of Penryn: seat of Sir Charles Lemon.
9. Possibly Edmund Charles Drummond (1841–1911), Admiral.
10. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’, and Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
11. Lady Katherine Elizabeth Edgcumbe, née Hamilton (1840–1874), wife of William Henry Edgcumbe.
12. Louisa Jane Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Lady Dalkeith, daughter of the 1st Duke of Abercorn.
13. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin, and his daughters.
14. Augusta Wyndham-Quin, née Goold (d. 22 Nov 1866), wife of Edwin Richard Wyndham-Quin, 3rd Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl (1812-1871). On 3 March 1867, her eldest daughter Lady Augusta Emily Wyndham-Quin (d. 11 February 1877) married Brig.Gen. Sir Arthur Pendarves Vivian (1834-1926).