TALBOT8508

<on deep mourning paper>

Mount Edgcumbe

Monday Jan^ry 20^th 1862

My dear Uncle Henry

Mamma has just gone to London for a few days on business, & wished me to write to you for the purpose of enclosing a specimen of the Bougain-Villier (is that the right way of spelling it?) It is flowering splendidly in the conservatory at the Winter Villa, & really looks beautiful! –

Val & Katie arrived in London from Ireland, on Friday; they stay there about a week, & then return here, first I believe paying Lady Brownlow a short visit at Torquay. –

Mamma’s principal reason for going up is to look at houses with Val. –

The “Warrior” came in here yesterday on her way to Lisbon; she looks magnificent in the Sound. –

Charlie is in London, on duty. – He returned from his travels last Friday-week. –

I hope Amandier continues to get stronger; I suppose she & Rosamond still remain at Edinburgh. –

How angry the U.S.S. “Tuscarora” will be when Messrs. Sliddell & Mason arrive at Southampton; did you ever hear of anything so impertinent as her anchoring close off Osborne?

Please give my best love to Aunt Constance & Ela,

I remain dear Uncle Henry y^r very aff^ecte niece

Ernestine Edgcumbe