Cotehele House <1>
Calstock
Tavistock
Feby 11th 1869
My dear Henry
I am glad you liked Charlie’s <2> letter. As soon as I have time, I will send you another very interesting one from Bombay.
Those flowers you sent me must be charming in their live state. I am sorry to say we do not shine here in flowers – tho’ at Mt E. <3> they are always beautiful. We have however plenty of delicious grapes, which are hardly over yet – they are much admired by connoisseurs. I superintend all I possibly can – but I have not got a “certificated” gardener – only a superior sort of garden man – who works very hard, is naturally clever, goodhumoured & obliging, & very anxious to learn – So I cannot complain. This remote region furnishes no materials for a letter – but I thought I would write you a few lines on this day.
Mr Gaisford <4> is at Cannes, & likes the place much – & Horace <5> is at Christ Church.
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Do come here before you go to Venice, as the weather is now so mild. You did Charlie’s letter great honour by copying it to send to Constance. <6>
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
2. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
3. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
4. Capt Thomas Gaisford (1816–1898), JP, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
5. Lt Horace Charles Gaisford (1851–1879), WHFT’s nephew.
6. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.