TALBOT4079

Cotehele House ¹
Calstock
Tavistock.
Jan^y 28^th 1875

My dear Henry

We came here yesterday from Mount Edgcumbe ² but before starting, I sent off to you, by book Post, the little book containing specimens of 33 languages, which I brought from the Armenian Convent in the Isle S^t Lazare at Venice. Whatever else the Armenians do well, they certainly do not shine in paper – for I wrote your name at the beginning, & the leaf is just like blotting paper.

I had a letter from Amandier ³ 2 days ago, & she tells me you wish to know how the poor old woman is, who was burnt out of her house. She is very ill, poor thing, but I do not think it is owing to the shock altogether for she took it very quietly – & in fact is much more comfortable where she is, in the house at M^t E. than she was before – But she had taken to her bed for 2 months previously, & was very ill, I believe, all that time – The doctor says he can do nothing for her – owing to her great age, 94 – but she can scarcely swallow now, from the dry state of her throat; & although sound in every essential, she cannot live much longer, if she takes no nourishment. Her intellects are quite clear – She is quite resigned, & never complains. The people in the house are all most kind, & nurse her with the utmost care.

After an absence from home of nearly 5 months, you may imagine I have lots to do here. I have not yet been out, but am sorry to hear there are no flowers but a few snowdrops & crocuses, & Czar violets – but as the new gardener only came in Sept^r I cannot blame him – as he has inherited the shortcomings of his predecessor –

We expect Val & George Edgcumbe ⁴ today, to shoot the remaining pheasants. He is very well in health, & occupies himself continually, having always much business. He is very cheerful with us – but gets low at times – & I suspect when he is alone.

The children are great darlings, & perfectly devoted to him.

Carry Liddell ⁵ has been staying with us at M^t E. She goes home today. How pleasant & agreable [sic] she is! – I never saw two people more delighted with any place, or more charmed with it’s [sic] inmates, than she & Athole ⁶ were with the old Abbey, & you all! I am glad to hear Rosamond ⁷ is disporting herself in London, among pictures & Operas – It must be a great pleasure to her.

Ernestine ⁸ sends you her best love – Lebe wohl ⁹

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

I think the Eastern languages w^d not be so tiresome to learn, if they w^d only have Sensible letters, like ours! & not have each different alphabets – They do look so hopeless! – Horace ¹⁰ is at Corfu, in a small Yacht with a friend – shooting on the coast of Albania, & enjoying himself much.

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham