Cotehele House <1>
Calstock
Tavistock.
Jany 28th 1875
My dear Henry
We came here yesterday from Mount Edgcumbe <2> but before starting, I sent off to you, by book Post, the little book containing specimens of 33 languages, which I brought from the Armenian Convent in the Isle St Lazare at Venice. Whatever else the Armenians do well, they certainly do not shine in paper – for I wrote your name at the beginning, & the leaf is just like blotting paper.
I had a letter from Amandier <3> 2 days ago, & she tells me you wish to know how the poor old woman is, who was burnt out of her house. She is very ill, poor thing, but I do not think it is owing to the shock altogether for she took it very quietly – & in fact is much more comfortable where she is, in the house at Mt E. than she was before – But she had taken to her bed for 2 months previously, & was very ill, I believe, all that time – The doctor says he can do nothing for her – owing to her great age, 94 – but she can scarcely swallow now, from the dry state of her throat; & although sound in every essential, she cannot live much longer, if she takes no nourishment. Her intellects are quite clear – She is quite resigned, & never complains. The people in the house are all most kind, & nurse her with the utmost care.
After an absence from home of nearly 5 months, you may imagine I have lots to do here. I have not yet been out, but am sorry to hear there are no flowers but a few snowdrops & crocuses, & Czar violets – but as the new gardener only came in Septr I cannot blame him – as he has inherited the shortcomings of his predecessor –
We expect Val & George Edgcumbe <4> today, to shoot the remaining pheasants. He is very well in health, & occupies himself continually, having always much business. He is very cheerful with us – but gets low at times – & I suspect when he is alone.
The children are great darlings, & perfectly devoted to him.
Carry Liddell <5> has been staying with us at Mt E. She goes home today. How pleasant & agreable [sic] she is! – I never saw two people more delighted with any place, or more charmed with it’s [sic] inmates, than she & Athole <6> were with the old Abbey, & you all! I am glad to hear Rosamond <7> is disporting herself in London, among pictures & Operas – It must be a great pleasure to her.
Ernestine <8> sends you her best love – Lebe wohl <9>
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
I think the Eastern languages wd not be so tiresome to learn, if they wd only have Sensible letters, like ours! & not have each different alphabets – They do look so hopeless! – Horace <10> is at Corfu, in a small Yacht with a friend – shooting on the coast of Albania, & enjoying himself much.
[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. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
For her letter see Doc. No: 00241.4. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’, and his uncle George Edgcumbe (1800–1882).
5. Caroline Cecilia Liddell, née Edgcumbe, niece of Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
6. Athol Charles Liddell son of Henry Thomas Liddell, 1st Earl of Ravensworth (1797–1878), statesman and poet. [See Doc. No: 09067].
7. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
8. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
9. Farewell.
10. Lt Horace Charles Gaisford (1851–1879), WHFT’s nephew.