Cotehele House <1>
Calstock
Tavistock.
11th Feby - 1873
My dear Henry
I must write you a few lines today, to send my best wishes for your Birthday, & many happy returns of it. Perhaps you will write me a line in return - but it is very seldom now that I get a sight of your hand writing.
A letter arrived yesterday from Rosamond, for Ernestine, <2> which I sent her to Pamflete, where she & Charlie <3> have been staying a few days - but I expect them home today, with their hosts, the Bulteels, <4> & Mr & Mrs Hartmann, <5> who you know are Lord Morley's <6> tenants at Saltram. They are such particularly nice people, & we like them extremely.
My garden is looking it's [sic] worst just now - nothing but a few clumps of snowdrops, & 2 little crocuses. I dare say your's [sic] in the Circus is more brilliant.
We have had such a succession of dark days, & bitter cold winds, that I wonder anything ventures to come up.
Shall we have War with Russia? <7>Tell me what you think of things in general? For I live in a hole here & hear nothing. I was staying at Saltram <8>tho' last week - we went there for a Plymouth Ball; but I heard no politics. Love to Constance, Amandier <9> e tutti quanti. <10>
Yr affte sister
Caroline
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
4 Circus
Bath
Notes:
1. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
2. Rosamond Constance 'Monie' Talbot (1837-1906), artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter; and Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT's niece.
3. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838-1915), JP, WHFT's nephew.
4. John Buteil (1827-1897) and his wife Emily, née Parsons (1831-1914).
5. See Doc. No: 09930.
6. Albert Edmund Parker, 3rd Earl Of Morley (1843-1925).
7. The Crimean War had not blunted Russia's desire to open a path to the Mediterranean Sea and England remained an ally of the Ottomon Empire. The Russo-Turkish War that evolved from this tension did not start until 1877.
8. Saltram House, Plymouth, Devon, the residence of the Earl of Morley.
9. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811-1880), WHFT's wife and Amélina Petit De Billier, 'Mamie', 'Amandier' (1798-1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
10. And everyone.