Abbotsbury Castle <1>
Decr 18th
My dear Henry
I am delighted Chippenham <2> is to keep two members, though I never should have expected such a piece of good fortune, particularly as Calne, <3> which I thought a more populous place has lost one; but I suppose they hadve[sic] been so plagued about that unhappy borough, that they were glad to give up any thing for the sake of a quiet life – du reste <4> the alterations do not seem to be great, nor could they I suppose – I have had several most persuasive letters from Aunt Harriot <5> to assist at their mystical Christmas festivities, & if possible we are thinking of doing so; I am only sorry of being obliged (in that case) to leave this place so soon, where we are so very happy & comfortable, & not incommoding any body, as Ly. I. <6> does not mean to return till after Xmas. Aunt Harriot’s letters are infinitely diverting; I can fancy I hear her speak – Ld V. <7> was much amused by her imploring us to go a day or two before Xmas in order to help her to make Dough Ladies, a pastime I suppose he never heard of before, or I either, though I should be ashamed to own it to my Aunt. – We went yesterday to the Decoy, & afterwards to St Catharine’s chapel, which Ld Valletort sketched in spite of a most violent South wester. It is much more picturesque than I had imagined. –
Lebe wohl, liebst Bruder, deine treue Freundinen und Schwester <8>
Caroline
Notes:
1. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.
2. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
3. Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock.
4. Besides, moreover.
5. Lady Harriot Louisa Frampton, née Fox Strangways (1778-1844).
6. Juliana Maria Strangways, née Digby (d. 1842).
7. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
8. Goodbye, dear Brother, your true Friend and Sister.