TALBOT8558

Mount Edgcumbe ¹
May 3^rd 1862

My dear Henry

I received your letter from Melbury ² today, enclosing one for Jane. ³ I forward it by this post to Torquay, as she returned on Thursday, the day after the Wedding. She did not come here at all, being afraid of the fatigue, crossing the water often, &c & so remained at the Royal Hotel with Lucy, & Edward. ⁴ Val ⁵ however had asked the whole family; & arranged a Dinner for the 2 families, a regular “gathering”, on Monday, 2 days before the marriage – So Christiana, Theresa, Kate, Johnnie & his wife Minnie, Ilted, Stephen & Spencer ⁶ dined here that day – as well as Captⁿ & M^rs Jerningham & the 2 young ladies. ⁷ M^r Gaisford & Horace ⁸ also came.

The ceremony took place on Wednesday the 30^th in the R. Catholic Cathedral – & was performed by Dr Grant, Bishop of Southwark, ⁹ formerly head of the English College at Rome – & a friend of Jane’s. Everybody attended the Wedding, except Flora ¹⁰ & me – & went afterw^ds to a Breakfast at the house. Captⁿ Jerningham has been in Command of the Cambridge Gunnery Ship, for 5 years – & Wednesday was the last day of his Command. He had the Ship & all connected with her still under his orders – & the Church was lined with Sailors in their smartest trim – who prevented the crowd rushing in. I believe he was very much liked by the men – & Iltid [sic] (who was with him 4 years) was also very popular.

They had huge garlands at the mast heads – which is the nautical signal for a Wedding. The Bride ¹¹ is very pretty & pleasing.

I went over to see Jane, later in the day.

I do not wonder at your enjoying a quiet visit to dear Melbury at this lovely season – It must be beautiful – I am so glad Uncle W^{m 12} is pretty well.

I heard from Amandier, ¹³ (in answer to me), about a week ago – & I wrote to her again yesterday. Ernestine ¹⁴ also had a nice letter from Rosamond ¹⁵ this morning. She tells her you were going from Melbury to Laycock Abbey yesterday, for two days – so I conclude you will still be there tomorrow, & this will reach you there. Do you think you could come on here, as you are so much nearer this neighbourhood than is your wont, to see me before going Northwards again? Val begged I would ask you to come; & I know Katie would so very much like to make your acquaintance. I shall be very soon going to settle at Cotehele ¹⁶ – & they will be doing various things in the house before going up to Tunbridge Wells – where she is going for her confinement – but for the next week or two, we shall be here in statu quo.

I am afraid it will be very long before I shall see you again – if you do not come now.

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

Horace is still very pretty & interesting – but very shy. Banks ¹⁷ has been to Cotehele to build a stove, & has ordered the hot air apparatus at Trowbridge. If you have an opportunity, please enquire how soon it will be ready.

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