TALBOT9038

Cotehele House ¹
Calstock
Tavistock
Nov^r 11^th 1865

My dear Henry

I have two letters to thank you for – both short & sweet – announcing M^r Oakeley’s ² success, & the wrath of his opponents. His election was so entirely unexpected, that I put off writing to him, as I was on the point of doing, till the affair was over, being quite prepared to write my express my “ complimens de condoléance ³”. – I had a short letter from him yesterday written in the greatest hurry, just to thank me, & to express his great gratitude to you – He wrote from London, & said he had had no time to himself since his election. He was going back to Edinburgh by the night train, to be inducted today – & to London again on Monday – & then back again – so that he cannot have much leisure just at present. I feel sure that your letter to M^r Gladstone ⁴ procured his vote – & no doubt the fact of M^r Oakeley being a University man, had something to say to it.

Please tell Aunt Constance with Ernestine’s ⁵ love, that her letter came on here from Mount E. ⁶ & that she could not answer it today, as she was going out to lunch at a neighbour’s; but I will answer the questions ab^t the Vals ⁷ instead.

They crossed over on the 2^nd & had a most beautiful passage – not a ripple on the water – & as it was early, Katie ⁸ took a drive on the Cliffs at Boulogne, where they slept. She was not at all the worse, or tired – nor with the journey to Paris, where they remained 4 days. They were to start again on the 7^th in a nice, clean Saloon carriage, & go day & night to Cannes – but we have had no news since Paris. Tell Constance also that I will not forget the small figs – about which the gardener has been already spoken to.

Give my love to her & Ela ⁹ –

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

I have actually had a few bunches of delicious muscat Grapes on my young vines – & quantities of out-door ripe black ones – both here & at Mount E.