TALBOT3604

Mount Edgcumbe ¹
Devonport.
Friday 10^th July 1874

My dear Henry

I heard today from Lucy Nicholl, ² of the unexpected death of poor Isabella Franklin ³.

She was in her garden on Wednesday (week) quite well – but was seized early on Thursday morning with a violent inflammation of the throat – from which she suffered terribly for 3 days – & on Sunday she died. Her two remaining Aunts, Lucy says, will feel the loss of a second sister in one year, very much. – But to her Daughter Annie it will be a most sad one. I do not think you can have seen much of Isabella for a long time, I had never see her since the time she was engaged to be married – when Mary Talbot ⁴ brought M^r Franklin to Lacock Abbey, except just a glimpse at Merthyr Mawr ⁵ several years ago.

Lucy writes from Ashleigh near Teignmouth – where she is staying with Ilted ⁶ & his wife – They have eight children – all flourishing – & I imagine, no money. Lucy & her Sisters have bought a house in Gloster Place, Portman Square, & mean to settle there at the end of September.

You can’t think how happy I was at dear old Lacock! Are Rosamond & Amandier ⁷ gone yet? Pray write & tell me. I had time at Exeter to see Veitch’s ⁸ garden, the Museum & the Cathedral with it’s [sic] famous Reredos. – the most harmless, inoffensive decoration for a Church that can possibly be seen! At a short distance, you can scarcely distinguish the figures even – they are so small – & lost in that vast space!

Such childishness as the Archdeacon’s is marvellous!

Y^r aff^te br>Caroline