Mount Edgcumbe
Devonport.
Novr 10th 1868
My dear Henry
I only saw in the papers last night, the death of poor Lady Emily Gaisford. <1> Mr Gaisford <2> wrote to me the next day, the 7th but his letter went to Cotehele, <3> & only arrived this morning. It is a dreadful thing for him, this second breaking-up of his home! He tells me that she was confined on the Saturday 31st Octr & did exceptionally well for 24 hours – but then came on a form of puerperal fever & for 3 days she was very ill. She had 3 medical men, & was rather improving when she suddenly became worse, syncope of the heart came on, & she died suddenly not 10m after the attack.
This must be a very rare case, & sounds very like those of Aunt Ilchester <4> & the Dsse de Nemours, which were identical, & quite Sudden.
Poor Mr Gaisford! I am so grieved for him – He says at the end of his letter, “How am I to bring up 6 children, the eldest not 7 years old!” It is indeed a sad business & a difficult matter; & so impossible to help him. His Sisters, (both widows,) might have been of the greatest use – but the difference of religion is such a bar.
I ought to have told you that the Vals <5> left Mt E. <6> for Tonbridge Wells on the 22nd Septr He came back again & was with us here & at Cotehele for a week. – He then returned to T. Wells, & they embarked at Folkestone on the 31st Octr. Charlie <7> went there to wish them goodbye, & then went to Dublin to take leave of his Regt & the Abercorn <8> family. He was only there 2 days, & then came back here. We heard today of their safe arrival at Cannes. This time they slept at Marseilles, instead of going right through. Katie <9> not at all the worse.
We are therefore at present in possession here for the usual week’s pheasant shooting, which poor Val can never enjoy. Charlie just asks two or three friends & neighbours to assist in the sport, & I wanted you to come, partly to see me, & partly that Charlie might wish you goodbye – but otherwise I don’t think the guests would have suited you particularly – & I quite enter into your feeling of liking the fireside, & disliking a cold journey. I try not to give into this taste more than I can help, & generally go out in all weathers – but it is one which creeps upon one. – I think it would also be better to invite Charles some other time – for I am sure he would not find the party at all congenial – besides which, the house will be pretty nearly full – at least as full as we have servants for – as of course we are short handed now. – I had a nice letter from Matilda the other day, enclosing a charming photograph of little Willie <10> – It is very pretty – I have not yet thanked her, having had so much to write & to do – Your account of the Earthquake <11> is very graphic – I have felt 3 – a strong shock wh made the house tremble all the way up, at Nice, in 1835 – & one in 1842 at Florence, which was preceded by a very loud rumbling like thunder, & yet not like it. It shook us all in our beds, & threw down a portion of the old walls of the town. The 3rd was at Palermo – where everyone rushed out into the streets. – How unfortunate those travellers were in the Apennines! Constance <12> was right in not venturing away from Venice. Charlie thanks you for your congrats. & is very sorry not to see you. He goes very soon, I am sorry to say –
Yr affte sister
Caroline Mt Edgcumbe
You know Horace <13> is entered at Oxford?
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Emily Gaisford, 2nd wife of Thomas Gaisford. His first wife was Horatia Feilding.
2. Capt Thomas Gaisford (1816–1898), JP, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
3. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
4. Caroline Leonora Fox Strangways, née Murray, Countess of Ilchester (1788–1819).
5. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
6. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
7. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
8. Louisa Jane Hamilton, née Russell, Lady Abercorn (1812-1905), widow of James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn (1811-1845) and some of their fourteen children.
9. Lady Katherine Elizabeth Edgcumbe, née Hamilton (1840–1874), wife of William Henry Edgcumbe.
10. William Talbot (b. 1865), WHFT’s grandson.
11. See Doc. No: 09443.
12. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
13. Lt Horace Charles Gaisford (1851–1879), WHFT’s nephew.