TALBOT4657

Cotehele House ¹
Calstock
Tavistock.

Wednesday July 21^st 1875

My dear Henry

I send you a specimen of the same small Australian flower I sent before. It does not seem to have advanced much in bloom – only whereas it was pink, it is now white. The plant is covered with blossoms.

I also send you Charlie’s ² first letter after he left England – as I know you take a kind interest in his proceedings, & also in the description of foreign countries where you have not been. It may amuse your ladies too.

Please return it when done with. I was so sorry poor Amandier ³ was disappointed of her visit to Matilda ⁴ – I hope she has got well again & rested – but it is an undertaking to go such a distance. Please give her my love. Our neighbours, M^r & Lady Louisa Ponsonby, ⁵ (he is Rector of Beer Ferris you know,) met with a sad accident 2 days ago. They were going from Tavistock to Lydford on the top of the coach which runs between those places; I have heard there were 9 inside – (but this may not be true –) so they naturally preferred the outside – but the top was also crowded, & a quantity of luggage piled up besides – so being top-heavy, the coach was upset – M^r P. was insensible for some time, but is now all right I believe – but poor Lady Louisa’s face was much injured – terribly cut & scratched – & she was staying in bed. We propose going over this afternoon – to see

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her – or at least to enquire how she is – so I have no more time to write. My love to all –

Y^r aff^te Sister

Caroline

Val ⁶ is gone on the Moor, for a change of air for the children. He & his Volunteers had a dreadful night on Tuesday the 13^th encamped on Maker Height. It poured unceasingly for 24 hours – & blew a heavy gale at the same time. Val described the rattling of the tent in the wind, & the noise of the rain falling, as making an unimaginable din – No tents were blown down fortunately, except the provision & cooking tents.