Almond’s Hotel
7 Clifford St
W.
Wednesday 23rd August 1871
My dear Henry
I am going to send you an offering in the shape of a flower pot made of Minton’s majolica, which I hope you will accept & like.
It is intended to take a large single flower, to stand in the Gallery. That is to say a flower in a pot, which can be put into the Majolica one, & changed, when faded, for another. It will not quite take those very large Lilies near the steps – but it is large enough for a tolerable sized plant, nevertheless. The pattern is something Chinese I think. It would look best if raised on a wooden stand, or stool of some kind, but that you will see. As it is so capacious, I desired the man to pack inside it, two small objects in china, which please keep packed up for a short time without being seen. I hope it will arrive safe. It is to go by luggage train tomorrow, & they will no doubt give you due notice at Chippenham, when it arrives.
I find my friend is longer than I expected – & Saturday is the earliest day I can hope to leave London. Shall I come to Lacock for 2 nights? It is a tiresome job, very – but I have profited some ways by this otherwise dull séjour <1> – having been
2
to the British Museum, the International Exhibition to see the French & Belgian pictures, & the Sub Tropical garden in Battersea Park. There is a prodigious quantity of rare shrubs, planted out of course only for the Summer – principally Canna Indica, Bananas & a great variety of Palms – & one miniature valley is planted with Tree ferns in imitation of the one Charlie <2> saw in New Zealand, I suppose. I was very much interested with the Mausoleum Chamber at the British Museum where they have quite lately arranged the large quantity of relics from the Mausoleum of Artemisia – & especially a very fine colossal statue of Mausolus himself, found in 65 pieces! but most beautifully put together again. Next time you come to London, go & see him.
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Stay.
2. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.