TALBOT2276

Mount Edgcumbe ¹
Devonport.
Saturday 25^th August
1877

My dear Henry

It was very amiable of you to give me due notice of the Eclipse.²

I left Cotehele ³ on Thursday & came here – where we all saw it to perfection. The day had been quite beautiful – & the distant line of Dartmoor on the horizon was as clear as if only a mile off.

The night was equally cloudless & lovely – & we watched the shadow coming over the moon from the very beginning. What a very curious colour the moon becomes! No wonder the ancients fancied such a phenomenon portended disasters & bloodshed.⁴

We observed the 2 planets – but had a discussion as to which was Mars. I maintained he was the large red one, but was told I was wrong – as Saturn must be the largest.

Please give Rosamond Ernestine’s ⁵ love, & say she will not write, as I am writing to you. She thanks her very much for her letter, & the plants, which are arrived. She has also sent me some, for which please thank her.

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline