TALBOT9732

Mount Edgcumbe ¹
Devonport.
Friday Dec^r 2^nd 1870

My dear Henry

I was very sorry to hear some time ago from Rosamond, ² that you had been suffering from an attack of lumbago.

I do hope that you have long ago recovered from such an odious & wearisome complaint; but I should like to hear so from y^rself. I intended writing to you as soon as I heard you had been ill – ma come si fà? ³ good resolutions are so seldom put in practice – & business of one sort of or another is always cropping up – so that one is always somehow behind hand – at least I am.

Rosamond seemed to think that a change of quarters to the warm North, would be the best thing you could do – but as I know not whether you have moved yet, I must send this to the Abbey.

We came in to Devonport last Monday, for a Ball at the Admiral’s, on Mount Wise – & were lodged at Gov^t House – Where Sir Ch^s & Lady Staveley ⁴ kindly gave us hospitality for 3 days. He, you know, was one of the second in command in the Abyssinian war ⁵ – & before that had seen much service in China & the Crimea ⁶ – She is quite a young & pretty woman – & they are both very pleasant & hospitable. Yesterday we came over here, for a few days réunion de chasse. ⁷ Val ⁸ comes today from Bournemouth, Charlie ⁹ from the North of Devon, & Rim ¹⁰ from Scotland.

What think you of our political prospects? & of the conduct of Russia? How good the last Punch but one – the Russian Bear & British Lion. Is not Amandier ¹¹ grieving over her Country – & Paris in particular? Write soon – & with Ernestine’s ¹² love,

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline