TALBOT9503

Cotehele House ¹
Calstock
Tavistock.
March 5^th 1869

My dear Henry

The reason I have not yet sent you Charlie’s ² letter from Bombay, is that I copied it out, to save you the trouble, on thin paper – thinking you would like to send that one to Venice as well, after reading it – but I wanted to send it to two or 3 other relations near at hand, first. You shall have it as soon as possible. Do please come here – We shall be delighted to see you & I so much want to shew you all our improvements indoors – as well as what little has been achieved in the garden – The will is good – but tho’ I have a first rate working man, I find it difficult to do much in the floricultural way, without a regular gardener. However I get on very happily with him – & can order him about, & make him do all sorts of odd things, which would not otherwise be done – & which a “certificated” gardener would object to. Then I work a little myself – which is always a help. – I forgot to say that two other letters have been received since from Charlie – both very amusing – from Calcutta, & P^t de Galle. He is quite enthusiastic ab^t India, & thinks every Englishman ought to visit such a magnificent portion of our Empire.

Charlie has sent home a parcel of Photographs of the Taj Mahal &c, which you shall see if you are good, & come. I was much pleased to see on the outside, after the name of the Photographers that of their residence i.e.

Talbot House
Simla

Evidently meant as a compliment to you!

Ernestine ³ sends her love, & begs you will not fail to come,

y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham