TALBOT6740

Mount Edgcumbe ¹
March 9^th 1853

My dear Henry

I have not heard from Laycock Abbey for an age, & am very anxious to know how Amandier ² is, & how you are all going on. We have had a long & pleasant visit from Captⁿ Key, ³ & from M^rs Edgcumbe & four of her Children – Ernestine ⁴ has been very happy with so many companions – they left us this morning however & the house feels quite blank Captⁿ Key went away ten days ago, in the hopes of getting a ship. I made him a present of your Etymologies, ⁵ & he writes me word he likes the book so much. He says that his Uncle, M^r Thos Key, ⁶ told him that he took his degree at the same time you did – & spoke very highly, amongst other attainments, of your knowledge of Optics at that time. He says his Uncle is considered a great Philologist & admires your book much.

The cold weather has left us again I hope – & our poor tender plants that were coming into flower fancying the Spring was arrived, & had to be matted up for fear of the frost nipping the young leaves & blossoms, are again uncovered.

I wish you would come & see us some day – We expect Aunt Mary & Mary ⁷ this month – They have promised a long, comfortable visit. It would be very nice indeed if you c^d manage to come at the same time – do – & I will give you notice when I know their day. Milord ⁸ is tolerably in health – but no better as to stiffness, & rather out of spirits. Ernestine is flourishing – Charlie ⁹ is taking pains, & Val ¹⁰ reading hard.

Give my best love to Constance, chicks ¹¹ & Amandier –

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

How atrociously the Austrians are going on! Such wickedness must meet with it’s [sic] reward some day –

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