TALBOT8680

Good Friday
April 3^rd 1863

My dear Henry

I cannot tell you when anything has given me so much pleasure as the news contained in the letter I received from you yesterday evening. Amandier ¹ had already told me of the honour then intended for you – & I waited with impatience to see the account of the proceedings in the “Times” – when, to my infinite disgust, I found your name was not mentioned! I suppose space was very precious, having so many speeches to report – for the part taken by Sir David Brewster & the Dean of Faculty, ² were not alluded to either –nor even the Blue hood! When I saw nothing about you, in the day’s proceedings, I began to have horrible misgivings that you had declined the honour – which I though it just possible you were capable of doing – but you must forgive me the evil thought. I should not have forgiven you, however, had I been right.

However I am quite delighted, & very much obliged to you for the amusing description you sent me of the day’s proceedings. I should much have liked seeing you in the blue hood – I hope you also attended the solid part of the festivities? – & were not content with empty honours? The public dinner? I am so very glad your daughters ³ & Amandier were able to see the ceremony! I cannot tell you how pleased I am! I honour Sir D. Brewster & the other Savans for their judgement & discrimination in selecting you as a collegue [sic] to L^d Palmerston, ⁴ no less than for the energy & skill they must have employed in making you accept. Fortunately it is well over & cannot be undone – & I daresay after all, you did not mind much putting on a blue hood! It was quite right of the Dean of Faculty to talk about the Cuneiform characters, as well as about Photography.

I am sorry to say nothing has been heard of Ernestine’s ⁵ watch & lockets. I never knew you had met with a similar misfortune.

I go out of Waiting on Easter Tuesday – & suppose I shall go to Schill’s Hotel, 1 Albemarle S^{t 6} till I have my house – on the 10^th – I imagine the Vals ⁷ are coming from M^t E. ⁸ in the course of that same week, & will bring Ernestine with them. I had a long talk with the Q^{n 9} two days ago – & she shewed me the Prince’s ¹⁰ rooms – the bed where he died – & everything left exactly as it was – with charming fresh flowers perfuming the atmosphere. Princess Alice ¹¹ is still quite well – tho’ Sir C. Locock ¹² & others are all ready in the Castle. She drives the Queen out every morning in a little open carriage, 4 in hand – Four of those wee ponies given by the King of Sardinia ¹³ – the dearest little things! They trot away like little mice. Poor Angioj ¹⁴ used to say: “I cavalli Sardi sono come gl’ uomini. Son piccoli – ma son fieri, e cattivi”! ¹⁵ however those look as good as possible. I have not seen Prince Alfred ¹⁶ yet – But they say he looks well – but requires great care. My love to all, & thanks to Amandier for her letter. I hope Constance ¹⁷ is less rheumatic?

Ever dear Henry
Y^r aff^te sister

Caroline

Please thank Amandier for her letter.