TALBOT9850

Cotehele House ¹
Calstock
Tavistock.
March 6^th 1872

My dear Henry

I have been intending to write to you for several days past – but have always been hindered. I received your letter of the 19^th ult^mo for which many thanks. I now write especially to thank you for your trouble in executing the Powers of Attorney, to enable me to sell out £500 of 3 per Cent. Consols. I was not sure whether you or I would have to do this? Now please tell me if Stilwell ² will defray the cost of the P. of Attorney – or whether I am indebted to you for it? Stilwell has sent me the receipt of his Broker, for the Sales. Ought I to send it to you as the Sale is made out for you, not me – or keep it, or send it back to Stilwell? – We have not been doing much lately. You know, of course, that poor Lady Brownlow ³ died on the 28^th of Jan^y – at the age of 80 – M^r & M^rs Edgcumbe ⁴ had gone to stay with her, when they heard how much more ill she was getting. I had spent Christmas week with her – which I know was a pleasure to her. Flora S^t George (née Porcelli,) ⁵ is her Heiress. – What a grand success the Thanksgiving at S^t Paul’s was! Val ⁶ was there – & with his usual good luck & activity, managed, after taking his place, to slip out again & see the procession drive under the Portico – He then got back in time to see the ceremony, then walked thro’ the Streets, where the decorations were wonderfully good, & then shoved his way back to S^t Paul’s for the illuminations

Ernestine, Charlie, & Bessie Edgcumbe, ⁷ started on Monday for a little tour to Boscastle & Tintagel Castle (King Arthur’s abode,) – & I do not expect them back till Friday. – I am as busy as a bee, with my farm & garden – planting, mowing, thinning &c &c Best love to Constance, Amandier & my nieces ⁸ –

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
4 Circus
Bath
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham