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Document number: 3218
Date: 02 Mar 1836
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: EDGCUMBE Caroline Augusta, née Feilding
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA36-11
Last updated: 8th March 2012

Mt Edgcumbe <1>
2nd March 1836

My dear Henry

It is so long since I have heard from either of you, that I have not the remotest idea even where you are, but shall send this, au hazard, <2> to Laycock Abbey - I think you have no right to complain of Horatia, <3> for it strikes me that you are by far the worst correspondent of the two - Since I wrote to Constance <4> we have been paying a visit at Lyneham, Mr Bulteel's <5> place - they are our pleasantest neighbours - she is a daughter of Lord Grey's, <6> & consequently agrees with me in politics, when by chance we touch upon them - He draws beautifully & keep foxhounds - one day I ventured out hunting, but as no fox was found, we had only a very pleasant ride in a charming country. - Have you heard of a Mr Harris, <7> a great amateur, (I suppose he should be called,) of Electricity; (by profession he is a surgeon,) but a very clever man, & who has written several papers for the Royal Institution, <8> some of which he gave me - they are rather beyond my scientific attainments at present, but I should like to shew them to you some day, & I dare say you could explain them to me - He has just invented a conductor for ships, which is much approved of. - [illegible deletion] I paid him two visits, during which he shewed us some really beautiful as well as wonderful experiments - his Electric machine is a very large one, & several of his most curious & perfect instruments are made by himself; one in particular for measuring the quantity of electricity to be collected in order to raise a given weight. One of the most beautiful was in imitation of the Aurora Borealis, by causing the electric fluid to pass down the inner surface of a<9> glass tube, about 5 feet high, from which air had been pumped. - I wished much for you to have been there, to have enjoyed & admired these experiments, avec connaissance de cause. <10> - Ld V. <11> has been electrified several times, (not a shock) & thinks it does his wrist & ancles [sic] some good - it is so painful however that he declares he can hardly stand it, while Mr Harris who electrifies himself likewise the whole time, does not mind it at all, but rather I believe, thinks it pleasant, such is his love for Science - Addio carissimo fratello <12> - Best love to Constance & Ela <13>

Yr affte Sister
Caroline

Let me know if you have had any tidings from Nice, since the 7th Feby -

W. H. Fox Talbot Esqre
31 Sackville Street
Laycock Abbey
Piccadilly
Chippenham
Wilts
London


Notes:

1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe

2. At a venture.

3. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810-1851), WHFT's half-sister.

4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811-1880), WHFT's wife.

5. John Crocker Bulteel, of Lyneham and Flete, Devon (1793-1843), married Lady Elizabeth Grey (1798-1880), daughter of 2nd Earl Charles Grey.

6. Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845), statesman.

7. Sir William Snow Harris (1791-1867), electrician.

8. Royal Institution, London

9. Text torn away under seal.

10. With understanding of the principle.

11. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797-1861), WHFT's brother-in-law.

12. Goodbye dearest brother.

13. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835-1893), WHFT's 1st daughter.

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