Mt Edgcumbe <1>
16th March 1836
My dear Henry
Your letter contains melancholy news indeed, & the more so as it appears the event was quite unexpected – Poor Constance! <2> I am sure you know how sincerely I feel for her & symathise [sic] in her sad loss <3> – Would that it could be of any use!
Is Ela <4> with you yet? pray let me know how soon you think of leaving town & where you are going, & also when Mamma <5> is coming home, as nobody writes to me now from Nice. – I am afraid Buckland Abbey <6> is 3 or 4 miles from Beer Alston <7> which is only a village, & 4 or 5 from Tavistock – they asked £200 a year for it some time ago (3 years ago,) & would probably take less now – there are gardens – I have also heard of a nice little place, with very nice gardens, shrubbery & a good house on the Tamer [sic], about half way up to Cotehele <8> – but I have not seen it – It seems there are no houses of any description on the Coast, for a very long way east of Plymouth – If I hear anything more I will let you know –
Yrs affly
Caroline
Give Constance a very tender kiss from me –
W. Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
3. The death of her mother, Sarah Leaper Mundy, née Newton (d. 10 March 1836), WHFT's mother in law.
4. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
5. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
6. Buckland Abbey, Devon; built on the ruins of a 13th century abbey church.
7. She means ‘Bere Alston’, Devon.
8. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.