TALBOT8732

Friday July 24^th 1863

My dear Henry

I received your letter directed here the other day. I had already proposed myself to Uncle W^{m 1} & received a short note saying he should be glad to see us, & that probably you were coming also – & that another letter of his had crossed mine on the road. This was a long one – which accounted for the brevity of the other. I proposed going on or about the 6^th & still keep to that notion. Uncle W^m says they intend being in Town for a week from next Monday, & hope to see us – You might also come up then, as you have not been in London for ages!

I am so glad you are paying Matilda ² a visit. It will make her so happy.

The P^ss of Leiningen, ³ who has been staying here 6 weeks in expectation of the event, had a little girl this morning at 3 o’clock. She was very ill poor thing, & suffered most patiently for many hours – but fortunately she had the best attendance, & is going on quite well now. The Queen ⁴ was with her all the time, comforting her & her husband. ⁵ He is the Queen’s nephew, & commands the R^l Yacht. They are both such particularly nice people – I am quite fond of them. They once paid us a visit of 2 or 3 days at the Winter Villa. ⁶ Ernestine ⁷ is at Offington ⁸ with Val & Katie ⁹ – but they go back to Town tomorrow – & I return there on Tuesday next.

There is a Cricket match going on in the grounds between the Household & the Yacht – the latter getting the best of the game – my love to all –

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

[envelope - rear flap blindstamped 'Osborne House' :]
W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Millburn Tower
Edinburgh
N.B.