61 Eaton Square
S.W.
Friday May 12th
1871
My dear Henry
I cannot think you are still in Scotland, (whither the Queen <1> is just going, to enjoy the fine Spring weather!) as I know you were impatient to see your flowers at home – & flowers will persist in coming out, in spite of the present wintry weather – tho’ here they suffer for their rashness – for the lilacs are looking too miserable, & the laburnums are nipped in the bud. It is different however only a short distance out of London – for at Ld Ravensworth’s <2> house at Perey’s Cross, there are some beautiful things in bloom.
I wrote not very long ago to Rosamond <3> – but I feel I have behaved very ill to you – who expressed such a kind interest in Charlie’s <4> affairs. I was so vexed at the whole business, that I had not the heart to write much or talk abt it at the time.
Ld Vivian expressed his determination to keep to Charlie’s appointt as Colonel of the Cornwall Rangers – so the Regt has been called out on the 1st of May, under command of the Senior Major – Reginald Trelawny – who, you know, Ld Vivian objected to appoint as Colonel – not considering him the fittest person, on account of his unpopularity with the Militia.
Charlie never would have left the Guards, had he not felt perfectly sure of his appt to the Colonelcy of Militia – & of course he, & all of us, are dreadfully disappointed. The Govt have behaved too badly & shabbily, & certainly done their best to offend Lord Vivian, in his capacity as Lord Lieutenant – in spite
2
of his being a strong Whig – But it is all a miserable job – because Major Trelawny is brother to the Radical Sir John, <5> M.P. Just after all this happened, Charlie was offered a berth in Lord Suffield’s <6> Yacht, “the Flower of Yarrow” – for a 6 weeks cruize on the coast of Spain.
Nothing could have happened more opportunely to divert his thoughts – & he accordingly went out in a P. & O. Steamer – had a prosperous voyage, & joined the Yacht at Gibraltar. He described the weather there, as most delightful – with oranges & flowers &c &c & he was enchanted with the place itself. They had a run over to Tangiers, & visited Malaga, Seville, Granada, the Alhambra & Cadiz. They then sailed for Lisbon, the last place from whence he wrote. They were going to spend a few days there, see Cintra, & then turn homewards. They made one start – but had to put back, owing to bad weather & head winds.
The Yacht is a beautiful large vessel of more than 200 tons, I think – & Ld. S. most hospitable & kind.
We have been in London a fortnight. This is a very nice house – the best we ever had in Town. I expect Val <7> & tutti quanti, <8> in a few days, from Bournemouth. I suppose they will stay abt a week, before going to Mt E. <9> – Katie <10> is much better than she was.
Do let me hear how you are, & what you are doing – & when you, or your’s <sic>, are coming to London?
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
I hear Sir John Pakington <11> is going to bring forward Charlie’s case again. – Are you not tired of this Governmt? So unlike the good old Whigs! I wish they were out.
Notes:
1. Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901).
2. Henry Thomas Liddell, 1st Earl of Ravensworth (1797–1878), statesman and poet.
3. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
4. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
5. Sir John Salusbury Trelawny (1816–1885), politician.
6. Charles Harbord (1830–1914), 5th Baron Suffield.
7. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
8. And everyone.
9. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
10. Lady Katherine Elizabeth Edgcumbe, née Hamilton (1840–1874), wife of William Henry Edgcumbe.
11. Sir John Pakington (1799–1880), Secretary of State for War (1867–1868). His second wife was a daughter of George Murray, and therefore niece of the late wife of Henry, 3rd Earl of Ilchester.