Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Saturday October 1st
My dear Papa,
Yesterday, after writing to Mamie, <2> the weather cleared up wonderfully, and we escaped rain; so, although not quite so calm as the day before, it was resolved to go out in the boat. We followed wandered in and out of the little bays admiring the rocks, and then visited the breakwater; Ernestine <3> rowing the whole time, with a little midshipman, a nephew of Louisa Galway’s <4>, who is spending a few days here, and the two boatmen. The wind had almost died away when we reached it, but the tide was so high, that a wave from time to time washed completely over the breakwater; and We were caught in one, and I got much laughed at for standing still and getting my boots wet, instead of running, as the others did, over the slippery stones, to the very opposite edge, at the risk of tumbling into the sea! They are all half amphibious, and really one gets quite ashamed of being so ignorant, and perpetually mistaking a brig for a cutter! – It looks unpromising this morning; very cloudy and some wind; but as it is very early, before breakfast, it may improve. The dews are so very heavy, that the grass remains soaked and impossible to walk on all day, notwithstanding the heat of the sun. There are still a good many scarlet geraniums and fuchias [sic] which make the garden look gay, but the rest of the flowers are quite as faded I think as ours. – Charlie <5>, and his little yacht, the Water-Baby, are expected back from Cowes every day. He is bringing it home for the winter, but Ernestine greatly laments herself that it was not here during this fine weather that she might have had a sail. Valletort <6> is coming next week, to wind up his business before setting out for Cannes. Lady Katie continues to improve steadily: Tunbridge air seems to have been exactly the thing for her, and they greatly hope that this winter will produce a marked difference. Aunt Caroline <7> has not yet given out that she means to join them there, but she evidently wishes to do so if possible. Ernestine, I think, would just as soon remain at home; she has not inherited a great love for the continent, and has so great a love much attachment for her own country and all that is English, that they all laugh at her, and call her a narrow-minded John Bull!
Henriette <8> has just brought me Ela’s <9> letter. Please thank her for it, and for Mama’s <10> message enclosed. I am sorry Charles <11>is already tired of his drawing, I hoped he would have been more persevering. The sun is coming out, to the satisfaction of all sportsmen, and Charles no doubt is preparing to go forth and stock the larder! – Henriette will get a Bradshaw <12> in Plymouth today, so I will write word tomorrow when to expect us. No doubt we shall find a one-horse fly at the station, so it won’t signify ordering it before-hand; and if we have to wait for one it doesn’t matter.
Goodbye, dear Papa, Aunt Caroline and Ernestine told me when I wrote to send their love.
Your affectionate daughter
Rosamond.
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe
2. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
3. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
4. Louisa Gallwey (1811-1872), dau of Lt Gen Sir William Payne Gallwey, 1st Bart (1759-1831) and Lady Harriet Payne Gallwey (1784-1845), née Quin.
5. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
6. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
7. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
8. Henriette Sanit, French ladies maid.
9. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
10. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
11. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
12. Railway timetable.