TALBOT7129

Farrance’s Hotel ¹

Wednesday Feb^y 7^th 1855

My dear Henry

I do not know if you have been written to from Penrice ² – If not you will be sadly grieved at the mournful news we received yesterday, of dear Aunt Mary’s ³ death, on Saturday evening last. She had not been at all ill till that day – & then she only complained of feeling a little sick – So that no one felt at all uneasy.

She was sitting by the fire at 6 o’clock in the evening, when she laid her head back in the chair, & they never could revive her again. Poor Mary’s letter to Christina Nicholl, ⁴ which I saw was most touching. What a peaceful end – So like her own self! We were going to Melbury tomorrow – but I got a telegraphic Message to put us off, (as I expected), as no doubt Uncle Harry ⁵ is going to Wales. Johnny Nicholl ⁶ is going from hence tomorrow also – Do not you think that they would like you to attend the funeral too? I pity poor Mary ⁷ so much – & James too, who is out of England – & it is so melancholy to think that the last of all our Aunts if gone! I must end, as I have much to do –

Y^rs very aff^te

Caroline