Cotehele House <1>
Calstock
Tavistock
26th June 1875
My dear Henry
I believe the Balm that was taken up is quite flourishing – I will see about getting the cuttings as soon as I can. I hope those of the Abutilon are growing? Did not the Mt E. <2> gardener send you some other things at the same time? I wonder if the enclosed is a rare plant or not? I found it in a field at my farm, just after they had been mowing the grass for hay. The farmer, who is a good gardener as well, & very observant of grasses, vetchs [sic] &c, said he had never met with it before.
I cannot help being extasiée <3> at the beauty of the vegetation this year – & of the loveliness & profusion of the roses especially.
There is a small crimson tree rose on the Terrace just under the windows, upon which I can count 40 roses at this distance – & there is another in the garden, which would undoubtedly gain a prize if exhibited – It must be a new kind. I think I got it 2 years ago from a man at St Austell. It is called “la France” – but I never saw it in bloom before. It is the largest flower I ever saw, a most beautiful pink in the centre, shading off to a delicate blush – very large smooth, clean petals, & very sweet. The leaves are also smooth – like the tea roses. I was quite “taken aback” when I first saw it, & much wished I could preserve it.
Ernestine <4> seems to be very happy & gay in London. She has been to 4 balls & the Queen’s <5> Concert, besides Dinner
Flora <6> writes me word of two deaths in our family which I had not heard of – poor Henry Gallwey, <7> (the Captain R.N.) & his eldest Sister Fanny – whom I dare say you remember as not quite right in her head. Amandier <8> must remember her, when we were all children at Boulogne. They are only 2 now left – Sir William, & Philip, <9> who was the youngest of the whole 6.
Charlie <10> goes on Wednesday I believe – It will be very nice for him to see so much of Russia – and Copenhagen on the way.
Love to all –
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
[envelope, imprinted on flap "Cotehele House":]
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. Ecstatic.
4. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
5. Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901).
6. Flora St George, née Porcelli, daughter of Sarah Anne MacDonald, whose mother was sister to Caroline Edgcumbe’s husband, Lord Mt Edgcumbe.
7. Capt Henry John William Payne Gallwey (1812-1875) and his sister Fanny, children of Lt Gen Sir William Payne Gallwey, 1st Bart (1759-1831) and Lady Harriet Payne Gallwey (1784-1845), née Quin.
8. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
9. Sir William Payne Gallwey, 2nd Bart (1807-1881), and his younger brother Philip, sons of Lt Gen Sir William Payne Gallwey, 1st Bart (1759-1831) and Lady Harriet Payne Gallwey (d. 13 Dec 1845), née Quin.
10. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.