London
Thursday
July 5^th

My dear Henry

This morning arrived a letter from M^r Fayrer, directed to L^y M^t E. or L^d V. ^<1> immediate w^h of course frightened us & on opening it we found poor L^d M^t E. was laid up at Moulins with an attack of Tertian fever. It is very strange as he never had any thing of the kind last year in Italy when it was all about – M^r F. can think of no cause except a drive he took last Thursday in a damp place near the river where he staid out after sunset – but it did not come on till after they left Vichy Saturday & consequently they stopped at Varenne. Next day he seemed better & they proceeded to Moulins – where he had a regular shivering fit – M^r F. wrote that ev^g & seemed to think him seriously ill – However the post not going till next morn^g (Tuesday) he was able to give a rather better account as he had some sleep, & for the present was going on favorably. Of course I shall send C. ^<2> the letter – poor dear there is always something unfortunate when she is in waiting – I shall be very anxious for the post tomorrow – I am sure M^r F. will take all possible care of him & he has really shewn great skill in managing his other illnesses – wonderful for so young a doctor – & L^d M^t E. has confidence in him w^h is a great point –

I really had hoped to be with you at the very latest Saturday – how I don’t like to abandon the children as C. will be so uneasy about him at any rate till I hear from her. There really seems a fate against my ever seeing Laycock

y^r aff^e
Horatia

Tender love to all.

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Notes:

1. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister and Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3^rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.

2. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe.