TALBOT8947

Mount Edgcumbe ¹Devonport

Feb^y 11^th 1865

My dear Henry

I have been intending to write to you again lately, & chuse this is an appropriate day, as I can wish you many happy returns of it. I heard lately from Harriot Mundy, ² the only person who ever gives me any family news. She says she has not heard all particulars about affairs at Melbury, ³ excepting that the income is much larger than she thought. I am glad of it, as Melbury can be properly kept up. She says it is £42,000 a year, without the Wiltshire property, (which was left to Uncle John ⁴), & no incumbrances.

Sophy Ilchester ⁵ is gone to Old Burlington S^t – Harriot cannot make out that she is to have Abbotsbury ⁶ which I am sorry for – She ought to have it, as grand Mama Ilchester ⁷ had it before. M^rs Strangways, the widow of Harry the clergyman, ⁸ died the other day – She was a Sister of James Buller of Downes.

You must be very cold at Edinburgh! All the Midland counties have been wrapped in snow – Even they have had a good deal at Torquay, when there was only rain here – But last night a good deal fell – Since melted. It is cold however, & till within the last few days we have had perpetual rain. We should have been at Cotehele ⁹ long before this, but Ernestine ¹⁰ has such a bad cold, that I wished her to be under the Doctor’s care here for a short time – & it would not have been prudent to remove to a colder place, & more draughty house, till she was better. She is getting better – but I suppose we shall not start for a few days more. Let me have a line from you, & I hope soon to write to Amandier. ¹¹ I hope Amandier is pretty well? – Lucy Nicholl & Kate ¹² are at Torquay – Ernestine begs to send her love – & give mine also to your ladies. ¹³

Y^r very aff^te Sister
Caroline

The accounts f^m Cannes – are much the same – pretty good – but generally speaking, very bad weather. Charlie ¹⁴ is there still I believe