TALBOT8975

24 Charles S^t
Thursday 1^st June 1865

My dear Henry

I thought you were a long time answering my letter – but it was worth while waiting for such good news. I am so glad dear Matilda ¹ has got so well over her troubles, (as Amandier ² informs me), that she has another little boy to keep Jack ³ company. The same day I got your letter, I met the Duchess of Buccleuch ⁴ at Lady Cowper’s ⁵ Ball, & told her the news. You can’t think how kindly she spoke of Matilda. She said she liked her so much, that she was so pretty & clever & nice; all of which we know, though it is always pleasant to hear one’s belongings appreciated by strangers. She also told me that M^r Clark ⁶ was expected in London that same evening, upon some very important business – I hardly thought he would have been able to leave Matilda under the circumstances – but I suppose it is a proof that she was going on quite well that he did come – for we found his card yesterday when we came home from driving. I was very sorry to have missed him.

The launch ⁷ went off admirably – Ernestine ⁸ looked very nice, all in white, with a dark blue sash & bows to correspond in her white bonnet, for the honor of the Navy! The bottle of wine was ornamented with beautiful flowers, & she cut the small cord which liberated the mighty vessel, with a splendid chisel & mallet which were afterwards given to her to keep in a carved oak box – made of the remains of the old Shannon, ⁹ which fought that celebrated action with the Chesapeake, in or ab^t the year 1813: –

It was a most exciting moment certainly – Just as Ernestine pronounced the words “Success & prosperity to the Lord Warden”! & gave a single blow with the mallet, the two weights on each side, sustained by a rope in connexion with the slender string, fell, & knocked away the “Dog shores,” the only two remaining props – & away went [illegible deletion] the “Lord Warden”, with a smooth & majestic motion, till she plunged into the waters of the Medway. Her departure was hailed with loud cheers, & waving of hats & handkerchiefs – the band playing “Rule Britannia;” – & the moment she touched the water, God save the Queen was struck up. I wish you could have been there. I am sure you would have been much interested. The superintendant of Chatham Dockyard is a great friend of our’s, having been Flag Captain at Plymouth formerly – Captⁿ Houston Stewart ¹⁰ – & the Comptroller of the Navy, Ad^l Robinson is also a friend – & that we were much fêtées & made much of. There was a splendid breakfast afterw^ds at which a number of persons were most hospitably entertained, & Captⁿ Stewart gave Prosperity to the “Lord Warden”, & to the lady who christened her – & afterw^ds the health of the real Lord Warden ¹¹ – Both toasts were duly honoured.

You have not told me when you are coming up to London? I suppose you are very busy with some new invention.

Vivi Digby ¹² is to be married on Tuesday next, at S^t George’s. Tell Amandier I intend writing to her very soon – please thank her for her letter about Matilda, & give my love to all your ladies. I suppose Amandier & Rosamond ¹³ are arrived by this time.

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

Is it time that Kit ¹⁴ is to be made a Peer? M^r Clark has just been here, & goes back tonight.