TALBOT2378

The Winter Villa ¹
Stonehouse
Plymouth

Monday 11^th Sept^r
1876

My dear Henry

I wrote to Constance ² yesterday, & did not therefore write to thank you for your kind letter ³ of Friday.

It is very sad to think of our dear, affectionate friend ⁴ being gone – a friend of 56 years! Such a one can never be found again – but it is a great mercy that she passed away in such peace –

I grieve much for you all, as well as for myself – but poor Rosamond ⁵ is the one who will feel her loss the most. What can be done to comfort her? I wish I could have gone to the funeral but besides the distance being so great, I could not leave Elizabeth at present, & there are other reasons besides. I hope the white flowers from Mount Edgcumbe ⁶ will be received in time. Val ⁷ sent 3 wreaths & some white lilies to place on the coffin. They went off this morning, & he telegraphed to the Station Master at Chippenham ⁸ to send on the box (or hamper) without delay. Please tell Constance that Elizabeth is much better today. My love to them all. I shall think much of them tomorrow – & hope some one will write to me.

Y^r aff^te Sister

Caroline