Cotehele House <1>
Calstock
Tavistock.
Wednesday July 21st 1875
My dear Henry
I send you a specimen of the same small Australian flower I sent before. It does not seem to have advanced much in bloom – only whereas it was pink, it is now white. The plant is covered with blossoms.
I also send you Charlie’s <2> first letter after he left England – as I know you take a kind interest in his proceedings, & also in the description of foreign countries where you have not been. It may amuse your ladies too.
Please return it when done with. I was so sorry poor Amandier <3> was disappointed of her visit to Matilda <4> – I hope she has got well again & rested – but it is an undertaking to go such a distance. Please give her my love. Our neighbours, Mr & Lady Louisa Ponsonby, <5> (he is Rector of Beer Ferris you know,) met with a sad accident 2 days ago. They were going from Tavistock to Lydford on the top of the coach which runs between those places; I have heard there were 9 inside – (but this may not be true –) so they naturally preferred the outside – but the top was also crowded, & a quantity of luggage piled up besides – so being top-heavy, the coach was upset – Mr P. was insensible for some time, but is now all right I believe – but poor Lady Louisa’s face was much injured – terribly cut & scratched – & she was staying in bed. We propose going over this afternoon – to see
2
her – or at least to enquire how she is – so I have no more time to write. My love to all –
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Val <6> is gone on the Moor, for a change of air for the children. He & his Volunteers had a dreadful night on Tuesday the 13th encamped on Maker Height. It poured unceasingly for 24 hours – & blew a heavy gale at the same time. Val described the rattling of the tent in the wind, & the noise of the rain falling, as making an unimaginable din – No tents were blown down fortunately, except the provision & cooking tents.
Notes:
1. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
2. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
3. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal ].
4. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
5. Rev Walter Ponsonby and Lady Louisa Ponsonby.
6. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.