TALBOT8563

Torquay
Belton Lodge
Sunday May 11^th 1862

My dear Henry

I received no answer to my last letter – so I conclude you had left Laycock Abbey before it arrived there. I risked it in the hopes you might have been able to come to M^t Edgcumbe ¹ for two or three days before I left it – but now it is too late – & you are probably far North again by this time. As I am not sure however where you are, I shall send a local paper, which I think you will like to see, addressed to Amandier ² – because she & the others can read it if they like, in the mean time, supposing you are not yet at home. It contains the account of a dinner given to Val ³ by the Tenantry – & was the first occasion of their meeting him. It must have been excessively trying to him – the whole thing – especially the speech he had to make.

M^r Boger ⁴ & everyone present were much pleased with what he said, & his manner of saying it – & as far as I am concerned, on reading the speech, it was everything I could wish. He was dreadfully overcome at first – but afterwards recovered himself & spoke very well & audibly – so that Katie, Ernestine & Flora, ⁵ (who were in the Gallery at the opposite end of the Hall,) could hear all he said. M^r Boger told me since that many of those present were much moved – & he himself could not describe the scene without tears in his eyes.

I am told that Charlie ⁶ also spoke well – tho’ his was an easy task. He only had to return thanks for the family – & afterwards to propose the health of the “Wives & Sweethearts”.

Ernestine & I came here yesterday, to visit Lady Brownlow; ⁷ & return to Mount E. on Tuesday. On Thursday we go to Cotehele, to settle there – for a short time at least. I will let you know if we make an further movements.

Our address there is
Cotehele House ⁸
Calstock
Tavistock

Don’t omit House – as otherwise the letters go to Cotehele Quay – by Callington – & don’t put Cornwall, because Tavistock is Devon tho’ Cotehele is not. So put no county.

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

[envelope:]
W. H. Fox Talbot Esq^re.
Millburn Tower
Edinburgh
N.B.