New London Inn
Exeter
Friday evening
Octr 1st 1869
My dear Henry
It was very good of you sending me the correct information about the high tide so quickly – as it enabled me to reassure people’s minds before leaving home. We went to Plymouth last Monday – for a beautiful concert with Melle Nilssohn <1> & Mme Trebelli, & next day drove to Maristow on the Tavy – where we paid a visit to Sir Massey & Lady Lopes. <2> We left them this afternoon, & are sleeping here – intending to go on tomorrow to Bowood. <3> Do you think you will like us to [illegible deletion] to come to Laycock Abbey in a few days – or not? Write me something as soon as you can.
Are Rosamond & Amandier <4> still at Florence? or Pisa?
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Possibly Christine Nilsson (1843–1921), Swedish soprano and Zélia Trebelli (1834–1892), soprano.
2. Sir Lopes Massey (1818–1908), politician and agriculturalist, and his wife.
3. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
4. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter and Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].