TALBOT8750

Mount Edgcumbe ¹
Saturday Nov^r 7^th 1863

My dear Henry

I ought to have sent you the enclosed long ago – but I was very busy, & thought a short delay would not signify. It seemed nonsense to invest such a small sum as £22 – so this is to enable it to be placed to my credit with Stilwell. ²

We went to Port Eliot on Tuesday last – a drive of about 10 miles – & staid till yesterday, when we drove here – by land, & are going to stay a very few days; just to look out a certain number of things, pack up &c. Then we return to Cotehele ³ & leave it again about the 22^nd I suppose – & stay a day at Thanckes near Torpoint, George Edgcumbe’s ⁴ residence. They are going to take charge of Ernestine ⁵ during a part of my Waiting, & then she goes to Lady Brownlow & L^y Abercorn. ⁶ My Waiting will be over on the 22^nd Dec^r & then I hope to turn Southwards.

The Vals ⁷ arrived at Cannes last Friday week – the journey was most prosperous – but they did not like their house, nor the situation – & Val said he should leave no stone unturned to find another. He did look at 2 others, worse a good deal – & I fear Katie tired herself looking at them – which is the worst thing in the world for her. They were close to the sea – & the eternal beat of the sea on the shore, & always at high water, was most aggravating. Close behind was the railway – no trees or shrubs, & staring white walls, with new houses in course of erection. The air was very warm, but irritating – & made them feel dried-up & feverish. In short I think D^r Williams could not have ordered them to a worse place. He gave them only the choice of Cannes or Mentone – & I think most likely they will go on to the latter. I wrote to Amandier ⁸ a few days ago. My love to her Constance & the girls. ⁹

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline