Item 159 - Letter from Caroline Trevelyan to Elizabeth des Amorie van der Hoeven

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Spring still slow to come: the garden at Welcombe is 'gay with Hyacinths & Daffodils & primms squills &c but the trees are still brown'. Sir George caught a cold on the journey but not a bad one. 7 June will suit them if it is the best day for the wedding; the Hague is 'such a charming quaint town' and they will be happy to spend a few days there. Robert has gone to Cornwall; will be good for him to take regular meals and exercise; thinks he goes out a great deal but 'strolls about' and gets chilled, which as he has bad circulation is not good. Recommends that Bessie and he take 'one good walk together every day', which is a good time for talking; she and Sir George have always done it. Likes the sound of the wedding dress. Originally enclosing a list which [Mary] Prestwich has made of the house linen she thinks Bessie will want; she offers to obtain them and have them stamped in ink with initials. Lists the things that she will send to the Mill House from Welcombe; the towels are 'not a very good colour, as the washing here was never very good' but they will do to start. Would also like to send a sofa, and describes two for Bessie to choose from.