TALBOT9944

Cotehele House ¹
Calstock
Tavistock.
11^th Feb^y - 1873

My dear Henry

I must write you a few lines today, to send my best wishes for your Birthday, & many happy returns of it. Perhaps you will write me a line in return - but it is very seldom now that I get a sight of your hand writing.

A letter arrived yesterday from Rosamond, for Ernestine, ² which I sent her to Pamflete, where she & Charlie ³ have been staying a few days - but I expect them home today, with their hosts, the Bulteels, ⁴ & M^r & M^rs Hartmann, ⁵ who you know are Lord Morley's ⁶ tenants at Saltram. They are such particularly nice people, & we like them extremely.

My garden is looking it's [sic] worst just now - nothing but a few clumps of snowdrops, & 2 little crocuses. I dare say your's [sic] in the Circus is more brilliant.

We have had such a succession of dark days, & bitter cold winds, that I wonder anything ventures to come up.

Shall we have War with Russia? ⁷Tell me what you think of things in general? For I live in a hole here & hear nothing. I was staying at Saltram ⁸tho' last week - we went there for a Plymouth Ball; but I heard no politics. Love to Constance, Amandier ⁹ e tutti quanti. ¹⁰

Y^r aff^te sister
Caroline

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