TALBOT8313

Mount Edgcumbe ¹

Feb^y 10^th 1861

My dear Henry

I had a letter this morning from Christiana Nicholl, ² which contained news which I know will grieve you much, if you have not already heard it. The death of dear Mary Talbot, ³ which happened in London, the day before yesterday, I quote C’s letter.

“Dear Aunt Mary came up with to London with Aunt Charlotte ⁴ on Monday, suffering at the time from an inflamed foot. After the journey it turned to erysipelas which could not be arrested & she died yesterday after an illness of only four days – Her end on earth was quite calm & peaceful.”

Poor Jane ⁵ will feel her loss very much – as indeed they all will – & none more so, I should think, than Kit’s ⁶ children, to whom she had been like a Mother almost, for so long. I am very sorry – She was always so kind to me, & my very earliest recollections are associated with her & Penrice ⁷ – She it was who carried me up stairs when I broke my arm at Penrice, when only 3 year’s old – an event I perfectly remember.

Please thank Matilda & Amandier ⁸ for their last letters, when you write. I go to London now in a very few days – to Farrance’s ⁹ Milord ¹⁰ has been suffering a good deal lately from pain in the face – but is a little better. Many thanks for the small Photographs of Garibaldi & M^r Bowlby. ¹¹ M^r Loch, who was a prisoner with the Consul Parkes, ¹² has been to see Milord, who was delighted with him –

Ever dear Henry Y^rs aff^ly

Caroline