Cotehele House <1>
Calstock
Tavistock
July 25th 1872
My dear Henry
Very many thanks for the hamper, which arrived quite safe at Mt Edgcumbe. <2> I was not able to settle anything about putting out the plants in their proper places just then, being very busy, & having to come here almost immediately – but I gave the Gardener strict charge concerning them. He was going to put the Anemone roots in a pot at once – & I hope to bring them back with me next time.
The Mandevillea had better stay at Mt E. where it will have a much better chance than here – & the gardener will take great care of it. – I have two very fine plants of Bougainvillea in my hot house – but they never flower anything to speak of, owing to the vines – as the house must be kept cold in winter, & in summer the vine leaves overshadow them too much; but at Mt E. there are various sorts of houses – more suitable.
Charlie’s <3> plants will be also properly cared for & planted out – tho’ the gardener thought it would be better to nurse them this season in a pot – but as you have done that already, I don’t see the use of it. We are going to Mt E. again for the Stonehouse Bazaar next week – on Monday – It is to take place this year in George Edgcumbe’s <4> garden at Stonehall, & I am to hold a Stall – but I suppose we shall be back here again at the end of the week. Cotehele is in perfection just now – the Roses have been beautiful – particularly the Devoniensis & Céline Forestier –, both of the Tea kind, & deliciously sweet. The latter a lovely pale yellow – & more refined looking than the Gloire de Dijon – and the Italian jessamine under Ernestine’s <5> window, is the most beautiful thing I ever saw. It is something like the common jessamine – only the blossoms are a good deal larger, as well as the leaves – & it flowers in much greater profusion. The perfume too is quite delicious, & comes in at the windows. I have also two nice Orange trees in tubs, covered with fruit – abt 4 or 5 ft high – They are put out among the geraniums & roses – & look exceedingly well. – I must now say goodbye – having some work to finish for the Bazaar. I hope Constance <6> is better for the change of air? My love to those who are with you,
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Did you hear of poor Mr Oakeley’s <7> horrid accident at Zermatt? I wrote to condole with him, & had a very touching letter in answer, written to dictation. He told me his kneecap was broken in 4 places, & also the end of the thighbone – but he was going on well, & had a clever Surgeon from Geneva. His brother Sir Charles, & his wife, <8> were with him.
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
2. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
3. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
4. George Edgcumbe (1800–1882).
5. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
6. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
7. Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley (1830–1903), composer and Professor of Music at Edinburgh.
8. Sir Charles William Atholl Oakeley (1828–1915) and his wife Ellen Oakeley, née Parsons.