TALBOT9271

Mount Edgcumbe Devonport
Nov^r 14^th 1867

My dear Henry

I wonder if you are at Laycock Abbey? I heard you were coming to England for 2 months – but know nothing farther as to your movements beyond this vague report. If you are at home, do pray write & tell me something of yourself & C^o & what you mean to do next. Val ¹ & C^o are at Cannes. Ernestine ² & I came here on Tuesday, & Charlie ³ joined us yesterday, for Pheasant shooting. There was to have been a party for the purpose this week – but they were put off, on account of the death of Lord Ronald Hamilton, Katie’s ⁴ 4^th Brother. He was about seventeen & died at Malvern, ⁵ where he was staying with a private Tutor. He had never had good health, & though, I believe, he got on well enough with his studies, there was certainly a slight deficiency, so that he never could have got on in the world alone. Poor L^y Abercorn ⁶ was devoted to him, for that very reason perhaps – but I think she is quite resigned, & sees that it is for the best.

L^d A. ⁷ came over from Ireland, & Charlie, being on duty, accompanied him. From thence he came here, & is going on a short foreign tour, with L^d Hinchingbroke, ⁸ on the 1^st Dec^r I suppose, to Italy. – What a mess poor dear Garibaldi ⁹ has made!

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

[envelope:]
not to be forwarded abroad
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham