Melbury <1>
Decr 11th 1831
My dearest Henry
I am much obliged for all your nice letters, particularly the last, & instead of complaining with Charry <2> that they are a woeful falling off, I shall rejoice on the contrary at their improvements far as regards length at least. – Nanny Longford <3> took great care of us & enquired tenderly after all the family, begging me to tell Mamma <4> that the saloon was not in the least altered since the last thirty years. Tell Mamma we left her the rest of the wedding cake she sent us. – We had a very prosperous journey from Redlynch <5> & absolutely flew the last stage – it is certainly very pleasant travelling in a post chaise with four horses, soit dit en passant.-<6>
Uncle Harry <7> went to Abbotsbury <8> Wednesday, but we found here little Caroline & Elbelle <9> looking very flourishing, & delighted to see me as usual; more than usual. – She says that when she sees me alone, she shall never be able to imagine me any thing but Caroline Feilding Still – Tell Mamma with my love I am a great deal better, & in case I do not get quite well, which I see no reason to suppose, I have always Elbelle <10> to consult while here. Ld V. <11> is so good & careful of me you cannot think; he desires me to say every thing most kind to all at Laycock Abbey. It is a very stormy day, but nothing can prevent the view looking as beautiful as usual, at least to my eyes – the house is deliciously comfortable, but the drawing room having been newly furnished, does not look quite itself –
Addio fratello mio caro <12> write to me again soon, & give my love to all –
Yr affte Sister
Caroline Valletort
1831 Dorchester Decr eleven Valletort
Henry Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there
2. Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin.
3. See Doc. No: 01614.
4. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
5. Redlynch, Somerset, seat of the Earls of Ilchester (Barons of Redlynch).
6. It should be said in passing.
7. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).
8. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.
9. Caroline Margaret Strangways, daughter of the 3rd Earl of Ilchester. Elbelle was the governess to Caroline Edgcumbe.
10. Governess.
11. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
12. Goodbye my dear brother.