Mount Edgcumbe, <1>
Devonport.
June 17. 77
Dear Uncle Henry
The British Association <2> holds its annual meeting at Plymouth this year, in the 3d week of August & I have been asked if I am inclined to entertain any of the learned gentlemen who are likely to be here at the time – especially Jacques – I only know of three of the latter who are expected – viz Prof. G. Devalque, of Liége <3> – Prof. Paul Gervais <4> of the Musée-Paris – & Prof. C.S. Lyman <5> of Yale College U.S.
Thinking that possibly you may know something of these gentlemen, I have thought of asking you whether this is the case, & whether from your knowledge you would recommend either of them as an agreeable guest. Do you think you would be inclined yourself to come down at that time, if so I need not say how welcome you would be.
Please thank Rosamond <6> for her letter & tell her that the eggs arrived quite safe & most beautifully packed.
I see by her letter that you do consider that plant to be an Abutilon.
Please give my love to Aunt Constance <7> &
Believe me yr affe nephew
Mount Edgcumbe
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. British Association for the Advancement of Science.
3. A phonetic spelling of Gilles-Joseph-Gustave Dewalque (1826–1905), Professor of geology at the University of Leige; he contributed ‘On the Devonian System in England and in Belgium’ to the transactions of the biology section of the BAAS, BAAS Report for 1877 (published 1878).
4. Paul Gervais (1816–1879), French palaeontologist.
5. Professor Chester Smith Lyman (1814–1890), astronomer.
6. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
7. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.