Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Devonport.
Friday Decr 2nd 1870
My dear Henry
I was very sorry to hear some time ago from Rosamond, <2> that you had been suffering from an attack of lumbago.
I do hope that you have long ago recovered from such an odious & wearisome complaint; but I should like to hear so from yrself. I intended writing to you as soon as I heard you had been ill – ma come si fà? <3> good resolutions are so seldom put in practice – & business of one sort of or another is always cropping up – so that one is always somehow behind hand – at least I am.
Rosamond seemed to think that a change of quarters to the warm North, would be the best thing you could do – but as I know not whether you have moved yet, I must send this to the Abbey.
We came in to Devonport last Monday, for a Ball at the Admiral’s, on Mount Wise – & were lodged at Govt House – Where Sir Chs & Lady Staveley <4> kindly gave us hospitality for 3 days. He, you know, was one of the second in command in the Abyssinian war <5> – & before that had seen much service in China & the Crimea <6> – She is quite a young & pretty woman – & they are both very pleasant & hospitable. Yesterday we came over here, for a few days réunion de chasse. <7> Val <8> comes today from Bournemouth, Charlie <9> from the North of Devon, & Rim <10> from Scotland.
What think you of our political prospects? & of the conduct of Russia? How good the last Punch but one – the Russian Bear & British Lion. Is not Amandier <11> grieving over her Country – & Paris in particular? Write soon – & with Ernestine’s <12> love,
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
3. But isn’t that how it is?
4. Sir Charles William Staveley (1817–1896), general and his wife Susan Staveley, née Millicent.
5. British Ethiopian Expedition 1867–1868. [See Doc. No: 09295].
6. The Crimean War 1854–1856, a conflict between France, Britain and Turkey on one side and Russia on the other. [See Doc. No: 07049].
7. Shooting party.
8. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
9. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
10. Reginald John Macdonald (d. 1899), nephew of William Henry Edcumbe.
11. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
12. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.