Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Devonport.
April 14th 1869
My dear Henry
Very many thanks for your two letters, <2> seeds & Assyrian books – I have begun reading them & tho’ of course they are far beyond my powers of comprehension – or indeed those of most people, still what I do understand, interests me very much – & of course tenfold more from being your writing & composition.
What a charming change of weather! It will be just the right thing for travelling now, & I envy you crossing the Alps. Give my love to them all – & please tell Amandier <3> I wrote to her on the 29th March – but very likely they left Venice before my letter got there. It was directed to l’Hotel de l’Europe. I wonder where you will meet them.
Ernestine <4> sends you her love, & is exceedingly grateful to you for the Greek Alphabet; Just [sic] what she wanted.
Some Persian Lilacs were in flower here when we came – on the 9th of April! wonderfully early – & they must have been open, by their appearance, for a day or two – At Palermo they were barely in blossom on the 1st & we have Jonquils out & so sweet! Horsechesnuts [sic] in full leaf – so on the whole we beat you here – tho’ not at Cotehele, <5> I grant. I do envy your luxe <6> of blue Anemone Apennina, & I think I must come & carry some away with me – unless you can bring me home some more roots – Do if you can – & cyclamens too. I hope you will have a very pleasant journey –
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
We stay here till the beginning of next week, & then go back to Cotehele for a short space.
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Athenæum Club
Waterloo Place
Regent Street
London
S. W.
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Letters not located.
3. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
4. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
5. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
6. Wealth.